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Our imposing diptych, a Spanish work attributed to Diego de Aguilar (1558-1624), consists of two panels hinged together by more recent hinges, enabling them to be closed like a book. The two panels are probably taken from a triptych.
They are set in gilded frames with polychrome moldings and fine arabesque decorations. Two saints face each other on these panels, which are made up of two joined boards.
On the left, Saint John in majesty. His usual attributes are an open book - undoubtedly on the texts of the Apocalypse, as we'll see in a moment - and the presence of an eagle at his feet.
The master painter's signature medallion, found on other works by Aguilar, positioned at the top of the panel, refers to a passage from the Apocalypse of John. It is a representation of the Virgin of the Apocalypse. The Virgin between heaven and earth is awaited by a great warlike dragon with seven heads: "The sanctuary of God, which is in heaven, was opened, and the ark of his covenant appeared in the sanctuary. A great sign appeared in heaven: a Woman with the sun for a mantle, the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.... Another sign appeared in the sky: a great dragon, fiery red, with seven heads and ten horns, and on each of the seven heads a diadem ... The dragon came to stand before the woman who was about to give birth, to devour the child as soon as it was born. But she gave birth to a son, a male child, who will be the shepherd of all nations, leading them with an iron scepter. The child was taken up to God and his Throne ... Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, proclaiming, "Now behold the salvation, the power and the reign of our God, behold the power of his Christ!"
Saint John is answered by a holy bishop on the next panel, wearing a patriarchal cross and ecclesiastical vestments, including a rare mitre decorated with a Salvator Mundi.
Perhaps this is Saint Eugene of Toledo, in keeping with the artist's city.
Dimensions of each panel, unframed: 51.5 cm x 139 cm
Dimensions of the framed panels: 67.5 cm by 153 cm.
Good condition - some missing material.
Ref: Y0HIQVU8KS