Choose evidence for a museum label about the pilgrim apostle.
7 minPractice
Saint James the GreaterGuido Reni · Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
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Reading
Describe, then interpret
Write one sentence about Reni’s picture without using a proper name. Include the position of the staff, hands or head. In a second sentence identify the figure from the museum record and explain why a walking staff is appropriate to his cult.
How far can the clue take you?
A single traveller with a shell on a busy road may be an ordinary pilgrim. In an apostolic series the same shell, especially with a staff and hat, makes James the Greater much more likely. The setting changes the weight of the object as evidence.
Checkpoint takeaway
An attribute gains meaning from the company the figure keeps.
Visual study
Find the detail
Which detail presents James as a pilgrim in Guido Reni’s portrait?
Saint James the GreaterGuido Reni · Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Choose one of the three areas of the artwork.
Choose by description
View the complete works and their labels
Plate 01Saint James the Greater
The shaft of the pilgrim’s staff rises past James’s shoulder while his joined hands rest near his chest.
