Saint Philip

Saint Philip from 1625 at the Chrysler Museum is part of a series of apostle paintings that demonstrate La Tour's early engagement with single-figure religious compositions. The bold, naturalistic treatment of the saint reflects the influence of Caravaggio's revolutionary approach to sacred subjects. Characteristic of the artist's mature approach, the work displays extreme tenebrism using a single candle or flame as the sole light source, simplification of forms to near-geometric purity, silent contemplative mood, elimination of all extraneous narrative detail.

The apostle is rendered with robust naturalism, strong directional light creating dramatic shadows that model the face and hands with the forthright characterization of La Tour's early style.