How does this artwork elucidate its Subject Matter?
According to legend, Saint Thomas was a skilled architect and Apolostle, whom was called upon by the Lord to travel to India. The king of India, Gundoferus, was seeking an architect to build him a Roman styled palace, a "mirabili palatio" (magnificent palace). Although Saint Thomas was hesitant to go, the Lord promised to guide him safely and insisted it was Saint Thomas who would become a missionary for the "heathens". Along with the promise of safety, God promised for Saint Thomas to join him in heaven through martyrdom. Thomas soon went to India and was entrusted with funds to build the king a palace while he was away on a journey. Instead, Thomas distributed the money among the people and begun his mission. The king's brother, wanting a palace as well, summoned Thomas to work for him. When Thomas refused, instead offering the kingdom of God, the king's brother sent for him to be found and tortured. Thomas challenged the king's brother, announcing he would worship a pagan god, only if God did not destroy the idol in the same moment. If God were to destroy it, the men sent to kill Thomas would have to convert to Christianity. When Thomas began to bend down to worship the idol, it melted like wax. Instead of converting, the Brahmins attacked Thomas in the name of their idol, killing him with a spear.
Saint Thomas Brahmin