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Fantastic Ruins with Saint Augustine and the Child

François de Nomé (c.1593–after 1644)

The National Gallery, London

Fantastic Ruins with Saint Augustine and the Child

Image credit: The National Gallery, London

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Buildings crumble and collapse along a seashore harshly illuminated against a dark sky. These unstable structures are probably assembled from elements of ancient and modern architecture familiar to the artist. The domed building beside a Gothic church-like tower is based on the ancient Temple of Vesta at Tivoli, near Rome. Stone statues lie in pieces, stand in niches or decorate an altar or sarcophagus.

At the bottom of the picture are two tiny figures. They are Saint Augustine and the child, whose legend provides the theme for this dream-like scene of fantasy architecture. Augustine saw a small child trying to empty all the water out of the sea using a seashell. He told the child it was impossible, and the child replied that it was equally impossible for Augustine to explain the mysteries of the Trinity, God’s three roles as Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

The National Gallery, London

London

Read more on The National Gallery, London
Title

Fantastic Ruins with Saint Augustine and the Child

Date

1623

Medium

Oil on canvas

Measurements

H 45.7 x W 65.7 cm

Accession number

NG3811

Acquisition method

Presented by Sir Philip Sassoon Bt, GBE, through The Art Fund, 1923.

Work type

Painting

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Normally on display at

The National Gallery, London

Trafalgar Square, London, Greater London WC2N 5DN England

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Artist or maker

François de Nomé

c.1593–after 1644

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