Explore the Architecture about the Stylistic Choices of this artwork.
One of the most notable pieces of this painting is the use of architecture to support the story origins. Rubens painted twisted columns, a highly symbolic value in Christian art, but paired it with a pagan idol and elephant heads. The purpose was to display the location of Thomas's martyrdom while connecting Roman architecture similar to that which the Apostle might have produced. The elephant heads are not only a symbol of India but a symbol of Thomas's legend. Rubens references Pedro de Ribadeneyra's Flos Sanctorum again, in which there is a story of Saint Thomas moving a large tree singlehandedly when several elephants could not. For the idol at the top of the column, Rubens referenced Imagini delli dei de gl'antichi, a sixteenth century book detailing the images of the gods of antiquity. Rubens then added animal-like feet, two horns, and a tail to the idol. The purpose of presenting the idol this was to relay the message that anything against the Christian religion is work of the devil, conveyed through the devil-like figure.
elephant heads Saint Thomas twisted column Pedro de Ribadeneyra Apostle