The prototype of this composition is a painting by an unknown Roman artist of the early 17^th century sold at Bonham’s, London, 6 July 2016 (lot 46). It must have formed part of a series depicting The Four Doctors of the Church, but the only other original known is a Saint Gregory the Great, formerly attributed to Giovanni Lanfranco (1582-1647), in the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Numerous copies survive, including early versions of all four paintings in the Prado (inv. nos. P001311-14). The present work is typical of Spanish provincial painting of the early 18^th century.

Provenance: Unknown, first recorded at the College in 1941

Location: Watercolour Store