Art Review An exhibition about the Spanish painter in London made me ponder whether belief actually makes a difference in how well you paint. May 11, 2026 — 3 min read Francisco de Zurbarán, "Saint Peter Nolasco's Vision of Saint Peter the Apostle" (1629) (all images courtesy the National Gallery, London) LONDON — Francisco de Zurbarán, that brilliant, 17th-century Spanish painter, is showing off the fruits of his piety (perhaps) on the grand scale at London’s National Gallery for the very first time.  Many of the works on display, once occupants of overbearingly towering altars in churches or monasteries in or near Seville in Southern Spain, are huge, and they are being displayed, sparely and sombrely, against walls the color of pitch black tar.  Crucifixion scenes. Individual monks in their tattered brown habits. Female saints in gorgeous fabrics tricked out to look like ladies of the court.…