St. Jude Thaddeus 1650

Georges de la Tour painted “St. Jude Thaddeus” in France in the 17th century. In this period, the Catholic Church was a major patron of the arts, and paintings of saints were common. La Tour's St. Jude is a study of the downcast figure, his face lined and worn. The saint's traditional attribute, the club, is almost hidden over his shoulder. The somber tones and dramatic lighting are characteristic of La Tour's style, reflecting the influence of Caravaggio and other painters who sought to create a more realistic and emotionally engaging religious art. The image makes meaning through its stark realism and the down-to-earth representation of a religious figure. Looking at an image like this makes clear that the interpretation of art is contingent on its social and institutional context. Researching the religious and artistic climate of 17th-century France can tell us much about the making and meaning of this work.