Focus on Martyrdom of Saint Thomas (Rubens) and discuss the Description.
Ruben's The Martyrdom of Saint Thomas depicts the apostle the moment he is struck by a spear, causing his death. There are eleven figures present; five being angels, five being Brahmins, and the last is Thomas himself. Dressed in black and barefoot, Thomas clutches a stone cross while reaching towards an angel handing him a palm frond. There is a Brahmin behind him holding a dagger above Thomas and another coming towards him, about to hurl a rock at him. Behind them is a Roman styled domed building with spiral columns, a devil-like idol figure, and elephants heads. There are also two palm trees and in the space between the cross, Thomas, and the dark-skinned figure is waves from the sea. Originally, this painting was larger in size, with another palm tree and Brahmin figure. When Prague's St. Thomas Church was severely damaged in 1723 by lighting, the church had to be reconstructed. During this time, a frame was redesigned which caused it to be trimmed around on all sides. The only known image of the original composition is a print based on the original engraved by Jacob Neeffs.
Saint Thomas Brahmin palm frond apostle Prague Jacob Neeffs.