Jose de Ribera's follower "San Francisco de Paula"

Oil on canvas. Anonymous. No signatures can be seen. The canvas has been restored and "relined". The original canvas is hidden by the frame and appears to be a 17th-century taffeta, with irregular edges and fastened with flat-headed nails. 

It depicts Saint Francis of Paula (1416 - 1507) as an old man dressed in the habit of the order, holding in his hands a short staff and a piece of paper with the word "Charitas". He is looking toward God and the hood covers his head. He is framed from the waist up and set against a neutral background. The present composition is modeled on the Tenebrism of the 17th-century Valencian School of José de Ribera (1591 - 1652) and Francisco Ribalta (1565 - 1628). It was possibly made by one of their numerous followers, without having the compositional quality for which their masters were noted.

Sizes: 84 x 61.50 cm; Size with frame: 97 x 75.50 cm

Provenance: Private collection, Valencia.