St Anthony Preaching to the Fish Francisco Herrera I

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St. Anthony Preaching to the Fishes attributed to Francisco de Herrera the Elder (1630)

This painting, made for the Convent of San Antonio de Padua in Seville, has been mentioned since 1700s as a work of significance. Historically attributed to Francisco Herrera the Elder, new scholarship indicates it is by Alonso Cano, who trained with Diego Velázquez in Seville. Cano, who was from Granada, painted this monumental canvas around 1636, before he moved to Madrid in 1638 to work for King Philip IV.

The painting depicts a rarely seen episode from the life of Saint Anthony that occurred when he went to preach in Rimini on the Adriatic coast. The populace refused to listen, so he addressed the fishes—they hold their heads out of the water to better hear his sermon. Here, the saint is shown kneeling and opening his arms to the fish, while a Franciscan gestures in surprise at the miracle. The size, scale, and loose painting technique suggest that the work was meant to be seen from a distance. Continue reading after advertisement

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The composition unfolds along a quiet shoreline, where Saint Anthony kneels upon the rocky bank, his arms gently extended toward the water as he proclaims the Gospel to the creatures before him. Schools of fish emerge from the surface, their heads raised attentively as if listening to every word, transforming the miracle into a scene of remarkable serenity rather than spectacle. Behind the saint stands another Franciscan friar, his raised hand and astonished expression emphasizing the extraordinary nature of the event. A sturdy tree frames the figures while the calm waters and pale sky create a peaceful backdrop, directing the viewer's attention to the silent dialogue between the preacher and creation. The restrained palette of earthy browns, soft blues, and muted greens reinforces the contemplative atmosphere, allowing the miracle itself to become the true focus of the composition.

By portraying the fishes as attentive listeners rather than passive spectators, the artist transforms the miracle into a visual reminder of Saint Anthony's harmony with creation—a theme deeply rooted in Franciscan spirituality, where every creature is understood as capable of glorifying God in its own way.

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This image is a public domain image, which means either that copyright has expired in the image or the copyright holder has waived their copyright. Franciscan Gallery charges for the access to high resolution copy of the image. Manually restoration was necessary in order to improve quality, without covering the original image.