The Hand of St. Teresa
Painting on canvas, landscape format • Joseba Eskubi
Style & Movement
Contemporary Surrealism / New Figurative Painting
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas, utilizing sfumato and chiaroscuro with atmospheric glazing
Creation Period
Circa 2012-2015
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 120 x 150 cm; Landscape format
Subject Description
A single, severed or incorporeal hand rests atop a dark, monolithic rectangular plinth. The background is a dense, moody void. The work is likely a contemporary meditation on the reliquary involving St. Teresa of Avila, focusing on themes of mortality, the sacred relic, and isolation.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent; the surface appears stable and the saturation of the dark pigments is well-preserved under gallery lighting.
Estimated Market Value
$15,000 - $25,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$10,000 - $18,000 USD
Provenance History
Likely acquired from a contemporary Spanish or European gallery; currently showcased in a museum setting (possibly the Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao or similar institution) as indicated by the wall text and damask wallpaper.
Art Historical Significance
A significant example of Eskubi's transition from small-scale gestural works to larger, more atmospheric compositions that dialogue with Baroque traditions and Spanish religious history.
Notable Features
The contrast between the hyper-traditional damask wallpaper of the exhibition space and the minimalist, dark aesthetic of the contemporary painting creates a powerful dialectic between old and new art.
Condition Issues
None visible; potential for minor surface dust or light scuffing on the frame edges.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain stable humidity (45-55%) to prevent canvas expansion; use UV-filtered lighting to preserve the delicate glazes in the darker passages.