Saint Francis de Sales (18th century) by Francisco Bayeu y Subías - Public Domain Catholic Painting
About the Image:
Saint Francis de Sales is a 16th century French Catholic saint and doctor of the Church. He was known for his work as a bishop, writer, and spiritual director. He is particularly remembered for his writings on the topic of spiritual direction and the practice of virtue. His most famous work is "Introduction to the Devout Life," which is a guide to living a devout Christian life. He is also known for his gentle and compassionate approach to helping people grow in their faith.
Francisco Bayeu y Subias (1734-1795) was a Spanish painter known for his work in the Neoclassical style, with religious and historical themes being his main subjects. He was influenced by Anton Raphael Mengs and his mature style combined French Rococo and academic classicism. Bayeu was an accomplished fresco painter, working on various decorative schemes, including the royal palace, the royal residence at Aranjuez, the cloister of Toledo cathedral, and several projects in the basilica of El Pilar in Zaragoza. He was considered one of the finest Spanish painters of his period and was the brother-in-law of Francisco de Goya. Bayeu's work is characterized by contained postures, local coloring, and a grand manner in his frescoes, while his oil sketches retained a brighter palette from his early years
