St Anthony of Padua Distributing Bread
by HERP, Willem van, the Elder, Oil on copper, 80 x 114 cm
The plentiful surviving work by Willem van Herp consists to a large extent copies and pastiches - mostly small-scale - after Rubens and Van Dyck, but also other second-rate masters. His hand is easy to recognize, particularly in his very individual exaggerated facial expressions.
On this painting the friars on the left are Franciscan and the one in the centre has a Glory, and may be intended to depict St Anthony of Padua. The poor on the right, who receive bread from the Franciscans, include two pilgrims.