Cross
Tau or Latin cross staff—distinct from Andrew’s saltire.
Apostles
Saint Philip
Philip the Apostle
A tall cross often identifies Philip in an apostle series. Bread recalls the Gospel episode in which Jesus asks him how to feed the crowd.
The apostle Saint PhilipEl Greco · 1605
01 / 04
- Feast
- May 3
- Era
- 1st century · Bethsaida, Hierapolis (trad.)
- Difficulty
- Advanced
Iconographic Attributes
Iconographic field guide
Identifying features
Tall cross staff and basket of bread are his paired clues. He is visually quieter than Peter—attributes must do the work. Shares May 3 feast with James the Less in the Roman calendar.
- Clothing
- apostolic robes
- Colours
- red · blue
- Symbols
- loaves · cross staff
Bread
Multiplication of loaves narrative.
Apostolic Robes
Less individualized than Peter; look for cross + bread pairing
Prophet's Beard
Less individualized than Peter; look for cross + bread pairing
Staff
Common attribute in Western apostolic portraits
Visual Gallery
Works / 04The apostle Saint PhilipEl Greco · 1605
The apostle Saint PhilipEl Greco · 1610–1614
The apostle Saint PhilipEl Greco
Saint PhilipHendrick Goltzius, after Maarten de Vos · c. 1578
Biography
Life & legacy
John 6John introduces Philip as a disciple from Bethsaida. Before the feeding of the crowd, Jesus asks him where bread can be bought. Artists sometimes give him loaves in reference to this episode or a tall cross-staff associated with his martyrdom tradition.
John 1:43–46; John 6:5–7; John 14:8–9; martyrdom traditions in Hierapolis.
Representation in Sacred Art
Narrative scenes to recognize
Feeding the five thousand
Martyrdom of Philip
Last Supper
Visual Recognition Guide
1.Tall cross or tau cross staff
Common attribute in Western apostolic portraits
2.Basket of loaves or bread
Recalls the multiplication of loaves narrative
3.Elderly bearded apostle
Less individualized than Peter; look for cross + bread pairing
Quick checklist
Cross + loaves together; elderly bearded apostle without keys or shell.
Patronage and Devotion
hatterspastry chefsUruguay
Distinguishing Similar Figures
Often confused with Saint Andrew: Both may carry cross forms; Andrew has saltire
Often confused with Saint James the Less: Share May 3 feast in Roman calendar
Notes from the Archive
- “Show us the Father” dialogue at the Last Supper is central to his Gospel portrait
The Twelve Apostles course
Philip’s cross and the boy’s bread
Distinguish Philip’s portrait attribute from a shared narrative detail.
Study this lesson 8 min · FreePractice
