Saint Christopher Meets Satan; Saint Christopher before the King of Lycia
Martín de Soria·1480–85
Historical Context
Martin de Soria's panel depicting Saint Christopher Meeting Satan and Before the King of Lycia narrates episodes from the saint's legend in the continuous narrative format typical of late medieval altarpiece panels. Martin de Soria was a painter active in Aragon, producing altarpieces that combined the International Gothic decorative tradition with emerging Renaissance spatial concerns. The legend of Saint Christopher, patron of travelers, was among the most popular hagiographic cycles in medieval art.
Technical Analysis
The tempera with oil glazes on panel demonstrates the transitional technique between pure tempera and full oil painting characteristic of late 15th-century Aragonese painting. The bright colors and detailed narrative elements reflect the decorative richness of Iberian Gothic altarpiece painting.
Provenance
Possibly from the monastery of Piedra, near Saragossa [Gudiol 1953, p. 302,]. Charles Deering, Palau “Marycel,” Sitges, near Barcelona, and Chicago, before 1921 [a photograph shows the panels installed at “Marycel”; the paintings and other works from Deering’s collection were placed on loan at the Art Institute in 1921; loan agreement, Nov. 18, 1921, Art Institute Archives].; given to his daughters Mrs. Chauncey McCormick and Mrs. Richard E. Danielson, 1924; Mrs. Chauncey McCormick, in a division of their joint property, 1937 [registrar’s records]; given to the Art Institute, 1962.
