Saint Andrew

The traditional identification of the saint represented in this effigy as Saint Andrew is not entirely secure. Although the martyr Andrew is represented with an X-shaped cross in two fully attributed works by Ribera (two larger, three-quarter length portrayals in the Quadreriadei Girolamini, Naples and Museo del Prado, Madrid, Inv. no. 1078), the saint was also depicted in the Madrid Apostolades holding a fish by a line (Prado, Inv. nos. 1076 and 1077). Furthermore, the cross in the present lot is a traditional Latin cross and not the X-shaped one of Andrew's martyrdom.

On the basis of a transparency, Professor Nicola Spinosa believes the present work to be by Ribera (verbal communication).