Antonio Arias hailed from Madrid and was an early pupil of Pedro de las Cuevas. He was employed, as a young teenager, to paint the main altar of the chapel of Carmen Calzado in Toledo. In 1639, he was tasked with the decoration of the Golden Hall of the Alcázar in Madrid, alongside such other artists as Alonso Cano. In 1645, he opened his workshop in Madrid. From then on, he received many commissions, mainly for religious works, including devotional paintings and a series of works for convents.

He has a very unique style, which was considered very modern at the time, combining monumental figures with a very simple composition, with often only one level, a bold style with a strong outline, pale, slightly popping colours with the underlayer often showing through, giving the appearance of being unfinished.

There are two works with the same theme, i.e. Saint Francis of Assisi and Brother Leon. The largest is included in the exhibition, while the smaller work hangs in the collegiate church of Pastrana.

Malgorzata Nowara