St. Pierre Pascal, Bishop of Jaen

Francisco de Zurbarán portrayed Saint Pierre Pascal, a medieval Bishop of Jaén, in this powerful devotional work. The saint wears episcopal vestments rendered with Zurbarán's famous mastery of white fabric and texture. His solemn expression conveys spiritual gravity appropriate to his martyrdom.

Zurbarán painted numerous saints for Spanish monastic patrons. His dramatic lighting and sculptural forms give the figure commanding presence against the dark background. This painting is at the Museum of Fine Arts in Seville.