PALMA GIOVANE
(b. 1548, Venezia, d. 1628, Venezia)

St Lawrence Giving the Wealth to the Poor

1581-82
Oil on canvas. 284 x 382 cm
San Giacomo dall'Orio, Venice

This first act in a Tridentine decorative concept focuses on confession. Lawrence has been invited to hand over the Church's wealth to the emperor but prefers to distribute it to the poor, indicating those thus assisted to the tyrannical functionary. Rhetorically effective, the painting reinforces its message with meticulous attention to gesture.