Incredulity of St. Thomas

painting by López de Arteaga

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July 17, 2026

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Sebastián López de Arteaga, a Spanish-born painter, introduced tenebrism to Mexican Baroque painting. He is most famous for three paintings made in New Spain: the Marriage of the Virgin, the Crucifixion, and the Incredulity of St. Thomas, all created around 1640-1643. The latter two works are prime examples of his powerful tenebrism, characterized by extreme contrasts of light and dark. In the Incredulity of St. Thomas, dramatic lighting highlights Christ's torso as Thomas probes his wound. This biblical scene refers to the apostle Thomas's famous doubt regarding the Resurrection of Jesus until he saw and touched Christ's wounds.12

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Sebastián López de Arteaga
…the Crucifixion (1643), and the Incredulity of St. Thomas (1643). The latter two are excellent examples of the powerful tenebrism of his work. In the Crucifixion a starkly lit and attenuated Christ twists on the cross against a dark background. Similarly dramatic lighting in the Incredulity of St. Thomas highlights…
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…the Crucifixion (1643), and the Incredulity of St. Thomas (1643). The latter two are excellent examples of the powerful tenebrism of his work. In the Crucifixion a starkly lit and attenuated Christ twists on the cross against a dark background. Similarly dramatic lighting in the Incredulity of St. Thomas highlights…
Read More