Diptych Oil On Panel – Early 17th Century

Our imposing diptych, a Spanish work, attributed to Diego de Aguilar (1558-1624) is made up of two panels articulated by more recent hinges allowing it to be closed like a book. These are two panels probably taken from a triptych. Our panels are arranged in gilded frames with moldings, polychrome and fine arabesque decorations. Two saints face each other on our panels made up of two joined boards.

On the left panel, Saint John in majesty. An open book - undoubtedly on the texts of the Apocalypse as we will see in a moment - and the presence of the eagle at his feet are his usual attributes. The signature medallion of the master painter that can be found on other works by Aguilar, positioned at the top of the panel, refers to a passage from the Apocalypse of John. It is a representation of the Virgin of the Apocalypse.
The virgin between heaven and earth is awaited by a great warlike dragon with seven heads: "The sanctuary of God, which is in heaven, was opened, and the ark of his covenant appeared in the sanctuary. A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars…. Another sign appeared in heaven: a great dragon, fiery red, with seven heads and ten horns, and on each of the seven heads a diadem… The dragon came and stood before the woman who was about to give birth, in order to devour the child as soon as it was born. And she gave birth to a son, a male child, he who will be the shepherd of all nations, leading them with an iron scepter. The child was caught up to God and to his throne… Then I heard a loud voice in heaven proclaiming: "Now here is the salvation, the power and the kingdom of our God, here is the power of his Christ!"

Responding to Saint John, on the neighboring panel, a holy bishop, carrying a patriarchal cross, dressed in these ecclesiastical habits including a rare mitre decorated with a representation of a Salvator Mundi.Perhaps this is Saint Eugene of Toledo, in keeping with the artist's city.
Dimensions of each panel, excluding frame: 51.5 cm by 139 cm
Dimensions of the panels with frame: 67.5 cm by 153 cm.
Good condition - some material losses.