Spanish school, late 18th century. "Santiago Matamoros". Mixed media on parchment. Measurements: 11,5 x 11 cm. In this painting on parchment dedicated to extolling the triumph of the Christian faith, the figure of Santiago the Great shows his victory riding his white steed, while at his feet lie two defeated infidels. The crescent moon indicates its Arabic origin. It is a symbolic composition that is repeated in Christian scenes of triumph over heresy (as in the case of Santiago Matamoros) or over the devil (in the case of Saint George and the Dragon). Santiago raises his right hand and brandishes the sword with which he beheaded 70,000 infidels, a courageous attack that earned him the nickname of "Matamoros". José González de Tejada, a 19th century historian, narrated that near Clavijo, La Rioja, in the year 844 AD: "... Santiago appeared on a strong and beautiful white horse. At the sight of him, the Christians took courage and the infidels were so frightened that, cowardly, they turned their backs and fled in disorder, leaving the countryside full of Moorish corpses and running streams of their blood which, it is said, reached the river Ebro, which is two leagues away from that place". James of Zebedee, also called James the Greater (5 B.C. - 44 A.D.) or Santiago Matamoros in Spain, was one of the apostles of Jesus, brother of the apostle John. According to the scriptures, he was one of the first to receive the call of Jesus Christ, when he was fishing in Lake Gennesaret with his brother. He was a privileged eyewitness to the resurrection of Jairus` daughter, and one of Jesus` most cherished disciples. He was present at two of the most important moments of his ministry: the transfiguration on Mount Tabor and the prayer in the Garden of Olives. He also witnessed the appearance of the risen Christ on the shores of Lake Tiberias. According to medieval tradition, after Pentecost, when the apostles were sent out to preach, James the Greater went to Hispania to preach the Gospel, which is why he is considered the patron saint of Spain.