Saint Raymond Nonnatus

It depicts the 13th-century saint who belonged to the Order of Mercy, bearing all the order’s attributes: the white habit with a red lining—indicating that he was appointed a cardinal—and the coat of arms on his chest. The naturalism and the influence of tenebrism are evident.

It is a piece rich in symbolism. On his head he wears the crown of thorns he received from Christ; in his left hand he holds the palm of the martyrs with three crowns, representing chastity, eloquence, and martyrdom. In his right hand he holds a monstrance, signifying that he had received Communion from the hands of an angel.

A padlock is placed over his lips—imposed by the Moors as punishment to silence his preaching—because he dedicated his life to freeing Christian hostages captured by them in North Africa.

The table on the right is covered with a velvet tablecloth bearing the coat of arms of the Order of Mercy, and on it are a crucifix and a cardinal’s biretta.