Meléndez, Miguel Jacinto – San Agustín conjurando una plaga de langosta Part 3 Prado Museum

The composition presents a densely populated scene unfolding beneath a dramatic celestial display. A central figure, clad in ecclesiastical robes and seemingly levitating, dominates the upper portion of the canvas. He holds aloft a staff, its tip culminating in a cross, which appears to be the focal point for the swirling clouds and cherubic figures that surround him. These angels are rendered with a soft luminosity, contrasting with the darker tones of the earthly realm below.
Below, a large gathering of individuals is depicted, primarily dressed in clerical attire – robes, habits, and birettas – suggesting a religious ceremony or procession. Their expressions range from fervent devotion to palpable fear and distress. Many are kneeling, gesturing upwards towards the elevated figure, while others appear to be shielding themselves or their children. A scattering of animals, including dogs and what seem to be small livestock, adds to the sense of chaos and disruption within the crowd.
The landscape itself is indistinct, a backdrop of trees and foliage that recedes into a hazy distance. The overall palette leans towards earthy browns and ochres, punctuated by the brighter whites and golds of the clerical garments and the ethereal glow emanating from above. A palpable tension exists between the divine intervention occurring in the sky and the earthly suffering displayed below.
The subtexts within this work are complex. The elevated figure’s posture and apparent power suggest a miraculous intercession, yet the expressions of fear and the presence of animals evoke a sense of impending doom or catastrophe. It is possible that the scene depicts an attempt to avert some form of natural disaster – the locust plague hinted at in the title – through divine intervention. However, the mixture of reverence and anxiety suggests a precarious balance between faith and despair. The sheer number of figures present implies a widespread crisis affecting a community, while their varied reactions reveal differing levels of belief or acceptance. Ultimately, the painting explores themes of religious authority, collective fear, and the uncertain nature of divine favor in times of adversity.