Stories of Saint James the Great

The episodes develop on several registries in double orders of panels. This was a new innovation of the revamped cultural climate of the time and was strongly influenced by the artistic language of Michelangelo, with Nordic touches.

We are in Palestine: the first register depicts the Dispute between Saint James and Fileto, disciple of the wizard Hermogenes, sent to rebut his ideas.

The confrontation has an unexpected outcome: Fileto is beaten by James. Hermogenes cannot endure this type of affront and has him captured so that he does not revert to sainthood.

The conversion is just taking place: a shroud bearing the face of Christ, sent by James to remind him of his recent conversion, is shown to Fileto in his cell. Nothing can be done against the power of faith.

Filete is miraculously freed by Saint James, meanwhile Hermogenes calls on demons to take the Saint prisoner. The panels depict a ruthless fight.

The breathless devils are enveloped in flames and beg Saint James to free them from the torment of the fire.

The narrative tension increases, James orders the devils to tie up Hermogenes.

Saint James is brought face to face with the priest Abiathar, who has him arrested.

He is inexorably condemned to death in the presence of Herod Agrippa. While the Saint is being taken to be tortured, on the way he meets a paralytic and miraculously cures him.

The window concludes with the martyrdom of Saint James, who is beheaded together with Josiah.

The stained-glass window panels are dominated by red and blue tones and  also enriched by varnish, and grisaille is used with an uncommon expressive power.

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