Saint Andrew (Duquesnoy)
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| Saint Andrew | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Artist | François Duquesnoy |
| Year | 1629–1633 |
| Type | Sculpture |
| Medium | Marble |
| Subject | Saint Andrew |
| Dimensions | 450 cm (180 in) |
| Location | St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City |
The Saint Andrew is a larger-than-life marble sculpture by Flemish artist François Duquesnoy, executed between 1629 and 1633. Located in the crossing of Saint Peter Basilica in Rome, the work depicts Andrew the Apostle leaning over the crux decussata of his martyrdom. Duquesnoy's St Andrew is one of four colossal statues beneath the dome of St. Peter, standing opposite to Bernini's less restrained Saint Longinus. The four colossi were installed in niches within the four piers supporting the dome between 1639 and 1640.[1]
There is debate over whether Duquesnoy was commissioned first the Saint Susanna or the Saint Andrew, and whether the critical success of the former secured Duquesnoy the commission of the latter or the other way around, with modern scholars leaning toward the assumption that the Saint Andrew was commissioned first, based on documentary records.[1]
In a letter to Duquesnoy by Peter Paul Rubens, which the latter penned to thank the former for the models after the Van den Eynde's putti,[1][2] Rubens praises the beauty of the Van den Eynde's putti and refers to the fame of the Saint Andrew, but he makes no mention of the Saint Susanna.[1]
The full-scale stucco model of St. Andrew was unveiled in its intended niche on December 19, 1629, in front of the Pope and the attending cardinals.[1] Among them, was Cardinal Biscia, the cardinal protector of the confraternity of the Baker's guild (which undertook the commission of Duquesnoy's St. Susanna in San Maria di Loreto[1][3]). He might in fact have recommended Duquesnoy to the confraternity overseeing the works for S. Maria di Loreto after seeing Duquesnoy's full-scale model of the St. Andrew.[1]
Upon its unveiling, the statue was closely scrutinized by critics and other artists in Saint Peter. It was well received by both.[1][4][5]
As for those on his concurrent work on the St. Susanna, payments for Duquesnoy's work on the St. Andrews were interrupted in the summer of 1633.[1] Duquesnoy received his final blocks of marble for the St. Andrew in April 1633. Payments were issued to him in April and May, but were then interrupted until March 1634. Payments were then resumed, and they continued at monthly intervals for the next several years.[1] According to Sandrart, due to "intrigues against Duquesnoy," payments to the sculptor for his work on the Saint Andrew were so delayed that he became desperate.[1] Duquesnoy was able to finish the St. Andrew thanks to Giustiniani, who advanced him 300 scudi for a sculpture of the Virgin he commissioned from Duquesnoy.[1]
