Italian school; circa 1640. "Saint Matthias". Oil on canvas. It has an 18th century frame. Measurements: 52 x 50 cm; 59 x 58 cm (frame). It follows Flemish models. The work offers us the face, in ecstasy, of an elderly male figure, probably identifiable as one of the apostles. The man is depicted bust-length, dressed in a red tunic with a classical appearance. The protagonist of the scene turns his face, covered with a bushy beard and moustache, directing his gaze towards the outside of the composition, adopting a serious and concentrated gesture, in which a great deal of forcefulness can be perceived. His facial features and clothing suggest that he is one of the apostles, as pictorial tradition had a long tradition of depicting saints individually, in which only their bust is shown, without any other attribute that could identify them, except for the colours of their clothes, although in this particular case we can see how he is holding a weapon. The figure stands out against a neutral background of dark tones thanks to a powerful spotlight outside the composition that falls on his face. The type of lighting used, as well as the subject matter and colour range, indicate the artist's knowledge of Baroque painting. From his iconographic attribute, he can be identified as Saint Matthias, who carries the axe that was used for his torment, as well as the book that characterises him as an apostle, which in this case is not visible. His appointment as an apostle was given to replace Judas Iscariot after the latter's betrayal of Jesus, an event that culminated in the suicide of the traitor. The Apostle Matthias proclaimed the Resurrection of Christ, for which he was accused of blasphemy and stoned by Caesar's soldiers. Finally, his murderers chopped off his head with an axe, a death with which those who opposed Caesar were punished, which means that the Apostle Matthias was killed for despising Roman law. Since then, Saint Matthias has been the patron saint of butchers and carpenters, carrying his axe as an identifying attribute, accompanied by the book that crowns him as an apostle. At the beginning of the 12th century, a stream of artists from the Dutch artistic scene began to emerge. This group of painters whose training was based on the study of classical art meant that they were present in the Italian capital. It was there that they came into contact not only with classicism but also with the most innovative trends of the time. It was in this context that they experienced the novelties of Caravaggio's figurative language. Adopting the stylistic resources of the Milanese painter, the Utrecht Caravaggists followed the trend of Caravaggesque naturalism, presenting it through chiaroscuro effects. On their return to Holland between 1620 and 1630, these painters succeeded in imposing Caravaggio's dramatic chiaroscuro and realism in Utrecht, a Catholic city. Dimensions 52 x 50 cm; 59 x 58 cm (frame).