Attributed to Luis Juarez (Mexico, circa 1585 - 1639) Saint Augustine of Hippo and Saint Gregory the Great, Fathers of the Church, and The Four Evangelists'. Set of six oils on copper. 22.5 x 17 cm (2) each, and 21 x 16 cm (4) each. A magnificent collection of 6 paintings on copper depicting the Evangelists with their iconic symbols and two of the four Fathers of the Church. Matthew with the angel, a man with wings highlighting the humanity of the Son of God; Mark with the lion, a symbol of strength, courage, and royalty; Luke with the bull, a beast of burden, calm and humble, and John with the eagle, the mystic who sees the world from the heights. The two Fathers of the Church depicted are Saint Gregory the Great and Saint Augustine of Hippo. (Possibly the other two, Saint Jerome of Stridon and Saint Ambrose of Milan are missing to complete the octet). Faux ovals contain phrases from their writings, representative of the Gospels or Roman liturgy: 'Book of the Genealogy of Jesus, Son of David'; 'Behold, I send an angel before you'; 'who is famous among all the churches for his preaching of the gospel'; 'In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God'; 'Order our days in Your peace'; and 'No one should pass without penance.' With vibrant and lively colours, creating a cheerful and dynamic rhythm, the paintings display meticulous attention to detail, as well as soft light and shadows. The figures exhibit an idealised yet 'almost real' beauty, balanced and serene, capturing the viewer as a contemplative observer of the saints of the church to imitate and follow.