Saint Andrew

Saint Andrew from 1656 by Nicolaes Maes is an early religious work from the period when the artist was still working in Rembrandt's manner. The apostle Andrew, shown with his characteristic X-shaped cross, is rendered with the dramatic chiaroscuro Maes learned from his famous teacher. Maes trained with Rembrandt in Amsterdam in the early 1650s before establishing himself as an independent master. His mature portrait style absorbed Flemish elegance — producing fashionable likenesses with loose...

The figure demonstrates the strong Rembrandtesque influence of Maes's early career, with dramatic lighting and rich, dark palette creating a powerful devotional image.