This portrait by Georges de la Tour depicts Saint Thomas holding a pike. The painting is characterised by its dramatic use of light and shadow, and its restrained colour palette.

Georges de la Tour was a French Baroque painter who specialised in religious scenes and genre paintings, often characterised by their dramatic use of light and shadow, a technique known as tenebrism. His works often feature a limited number of figures, set against dark backgrounds, illuminated by a single light source, creating a sense of intimacy and spiritual intensity. De la Tour's style is marked by its realism, simplicity, and quiet emotional power. He was largely forgotten after his death, but his work was rediscovered in the 20th century. This painting depicts Saint Thomas holding a pike, his attribute as one of the twelve apostles. The saint is shown in half-length, his face illuminated by an unseen light source. He holds a book in his left hand and the pike in his right. The colour palette is restrained, dominated by browns, creams, and blues. The composition is simple, with the figure of the saint filling most of the canvas. The artist's skill is evident in the rendering of the textures of the skin, fabric, and metal.