Who created "Saint Benedict"?

Saint Benedict was created by Francisco de Zurbarán in ca. 1640–45.

When was "Saint Benedict" created?

This artwork was created ca. 1640–45.

What medium is "Saint Benedict"?

Saint Benedict is Oil on canvas.

Is "Saint Benedict" in the public domain?

Yes, Saint Benedict is in the public domain and available for free download under CC0 license.

Saint Benedict

Francisco de Zurbarán

ca. 1640–45

Medium

Oil on canvas

Dimensions

74 x 40 3/4 in. (188 x 103.5 cm)

Classification

Paintings

Department

European Paintings

Museum

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY

Credit

Bequest of Harry G. Sperling, 1971

Accession Number

1976.100.21

Tags

MenSaintsPitchers

Art Historical Context

Francisco de Zurbarán's *Saint Benedict* (. 1640–45) is a striking oil-on-canvas portrait from Spain's Golden Age, exemplifying the artist's mastery of realism. Standing nearly life-size at 74 x 40¾ inches, this monumental work captures the founder of Western monasticism in a moment of quiet contemplation. Zurbarán, a devout closely tied to monastic orders, specialized in austere depictions of saints, using dramatic chiaroscuro—intense contrasts of light and shadow—to spiritual depth and divine presence. The painting's power lies in its tactile details: the coarse wool of Benedict's habit, re...

Saint Benedict

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