Cuzco School, circa 1800

Portrait of Saint Isidore the Farmer
oil on canvas
98 x 68.5cm

Saint Isidore the Farmer, also known as the Labourer, was a farmworker born circa 1070 in Madrid. He spent most of his life in the service of Juan de Vargas on his farm near Madrid. Known for his piety towards the poor, he was canonized by Pope Gregory XV along with Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Francis Xavier and Teresa of Ávila in 1622. He is widely venerated as the patron saint of farmers, peasants, day labourers and agriculture. His feast day is celebrated on 15th May.

Condition Report

The painting is executed in oil on a canvas support which has been lined. The canvas tension is good and the picture is in plane. The paint layer has a network of age cracks, some of which have slightly raised edges. Overall, the paint layer is currently stable but has suffered from loss in the past. There is extensive overpaint across the surface, mainly located in the lower half. In areas the overpaint has slightly darkened, but overall it is well matched to the original. The varnish layer is slightly uneven and discoloured with dark patches across the surface.
107 x 77cm framed