CARPACCIO, Vittore
(b. 1472, Venezia, d. 1526, Capodistria)

The Ten Thousand Martyrs on the Mount Ararat

1515
Tempera on canvas, 307 x 205 cm
Gallerie dell'Accademia, Venice

The painting comes from the now demolished church of Sant'Antonio di Castello. The altarpiece tells the story of the Roman soldiers who converted to Christianity and were then sent to die by their own emperor, in league with the rulers of the east. It celebrates the glory won during the Turkish wars by the family of the donor, Ettore Ottobon.