TINTORETTO
(b. 1518, Venezia, d. 1594, Venezia)

The Martyrdom of St Paul

c. 1556
Oil on canvas, 430 x 240 cm
Madonna dell'Orto, Venice

Just before he is beheaded with a huge two-handed sword, Paul raises his bound hands in a last prayer. An angel is bringing him a laurel wreath and the palm of martyrdom. The armour, which appears much too powerful for his emaciated old body, is an armour in the ancient Roman style.




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