LUCA DI TOMMÈ
(active 1356-1389 in Siena)

Beheading of St Paul

c. 1370
Tempera on wood, 32 x 40 cm
Christian Museum, Esztergom

This panel belonged to the predella of a larger altarpiece. Three other parts of the predella are known, two in the Pinacoteca Nazionale, Siena, and one in the Seattle Art Museum.

The painter placed the scene of the apostle's death among antique-looking scenery and characters. Having finished their task, the soldiers stand around near the pyramid before the city gate of Ostia (present-day Porta San Paolo) in Rome, not far from the site where tradition says Paul was martyred. The picture also shows a rarely represented element of the legend, according to which the saint's falling head bounced three times on the ground and each time it cried Jesus' name (written in the picture as "GESU"). Springs broke forth from the three depressions. In memory of this miracle, a famous pilgrimage place dedicated to the three holy wells (Abbazia delle Tre Fontane) was later founded on the site.

The work belongs to the late production of Luca di Tommè: it is characterized by strong contours, dark tones and expressive lights. The sketchy execution may indicate the intervention of workshop assistants.




© Web Gallery of Art, created by Emil Krén and Daniel Marx.