Half-lenth Figure of St. Andrew in an Oval 1616 - 1668

This is Antonio del Castillo y Saavedra's drawing in pen and brown ink, "Half-Length Figure of St. Andrew in an Oval." Castillo was working during the Spanish Golden Age, a time of immense artistic production amidst religious and political conflict. Here, Saint Andrew, identifiable by his saltire cross, is not depicted as a triumphant figure but as an old, weary man. The oval frame constrains him, focusing our attention on his internal suffering. The deliberate choice to portray a saint with such vulnerability deviates from the traditional glorification of religious figures. Castillo infuses humanity into a symbol of faith, prompting us to reflect on the weight of belief and the personal cost of devotion. This is not just a picture of a saint, but a study in human endurance.