Italian school, ca. 1600

Italian school, ca. 1600.
"The incredulity of St. Thomas".
Oil on panel.
Measurements: 65 x 125 cm.

This painting depicts the episode that gave rise to the term "Doubting Thomas" which, formally known as the Unbelief of Thomas, had been frequently depicted in Christian art since at least the 5th century, and used to make a variety of theological points. According to the Gospel of John, the Apostle Thomas missed one of Jesus' appearances to the Apostles after His resurrection and said, "Unless I see the nail marks on his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand in his side, I will not believe it. John 20:25 A week later, Jesus appeared and told Thomas to touch him and stop doubting. Then Jesus said, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." John 20:29.

In the painting the artist places Christ in the center showing his wounds and his whole body in a diaphanous way to St. Thomas, who kneels in front of him. Around him are the apostles, who make gestures of surprise while some of them hold their hands to their chests. They adopt, therefore, totally differentiated and therefore unique and personal postures. It is a markedly horizontal composition of Renaissance style in which the characters are arranged in an orderly fashion to emphasize the divine message and make it easier for the faithful to read the scene. The bright and harmonious colors of the robes and cloaks of the characters correspond to the Italian school of ca. 1600.