Saint James the Greater (d. c. 44 AD) was one of the Twelve Apostles and the elder brother of John. Along with Peter and John, he formed part of Christ’s closest circle and is present at pivotal moments in the Gospel narrative, including the Transfiguration.

According to the Acts of the Apostles, James was put to death by order of King Herod Agrippa I, making him the first of the apostles to suffer martyrdom. From the early Middle Ages onward, tradition associated his relics with Santiago de Compostela in north-western Spain, where his cult became one of the most influential in medieval Europe and a focal point of pilgrimage.

Saint James the Greater in Art

Saint James the Greater ⓘ appears frequently in Christian art, reflecting both his status as one of Christ’s closest apostles and the later development of his cult in western Europe. In biblical imagery he is shown among the Twelve and in key Gospel scenes such as the Transfiguration, while later medieval and Renaissance art increasingly emphasised his role as a martyr and as the patron saint of pilgrimage.

From the Middle Ages onward, James is most commonly depicted as a pilgrim, identified by attributes such as the scallop shell, staff, hat, or satchel, reflecting the importance of Santiago de Compostela as a major centre of devotion. In other contexts he may appear as an apostle holding a book or as a martyr, sometimes shown with a sword recalling his execution under Herod Agrippa I.