MANTEGNA, Andrea
(b. 1431, Isola di Carturo, d. 1506, Mantova)

Scenes from the Life of St Christopher (scene 5, detail)

1448-57
Fresco
Cappella Ovetari, Chiesa degli Eremitani, Padua

The picture shows a detail of the Martyrdom of St Christopher. The arrows shot at the saint were miraculously deflected. The tyrant responsible for the saints's martyrdom was struck in the eye by one of them, at which Christopher said to him, "Tomorrow, when I am dead, take some of my blood, mix it with some earth, put it on your eye, and you will be healed." When the king followed this advice and found he could see again, he converted to Christianity.