San Tommaso

Saint Thomas Aquinas is here represented in the moment Jesus speaks to him from the cross, as is indicated by the letters in gold that, like a spear, separate his gaze from the head of Christ, with his crown of thorns. According to tradition, the Dominican saint was spoken to by a cross of the 3th century, which uttered the words “You have written well of me, Thomas. What reward will you have?”, to which the saint answered that he wanted none other than God himself. Also this painting from the late 17th century is influenced by the traditional interpretation of the Dominican as representing the ideal unity between intelligence and faith. His teachings are symbolized by the books in the painting; one is next to him while the other is in his left hand. The saint touches his heart with his right hand, signifying an intimate and total identification with the word of God. The painting represents a triangular relationship between writing, vision and the awareness of faith.