Head of Saint Paul

This cut head of the apostle comes from the San Pablo convent in Valladolid. It is signed and dated in the plinth by Juan Alonso Villabrille y Ron in 1707. Using techniques seen in the 1600's plastic, this artist achieves here his master piece. Dramatically situated over a rocky round background where there are water streams recreated with superimposed glasses - illustrating the legend that says three water springs sprang out from where the saint hit his head when beheaded-, it is executed with an impressive character to which contributes the modeling power, without its effects being superficial. With great technical virtuosity, to the thoroughness of the carving when representing physical features and empowered by the realistic colors, adds the glass eyes and ivory teeth, all resorts with which Villabrille captured the tension that shakes the character. Through his eyes and open mouth, the movement of the wrinkles of his forehead, the author gets to masterly capture the brief moment of the beheading. The head is made in two halves; the details in the carving allowed the author to represent the whole mouth whose emptiness connects with the neck to obtain a realistic effect that illustrates in itself the dramatic quality of the Spanish Baroque.