The Martyrdom Of St. Erasmus - Circle Of Frans Francken II (antwerp, 1581–1642)

"The Martyrdom of St. Erasmus"
17th-century Flemish master
from the circle of Frans Francken II (Antwerp, 1581–1642)
Oil on canvas
18th-century gilded frame
Canvas: 75 x 57 cm
Frame: 85 x 67 cm
Cleaning and re-lining have been performed

The painting depicts one of the rarest and most striking sacred subjects in ancient art and refers to the story of Erasmus, Bishop of Formia, and his terrible martyrdom during the persecutions of Diocletian in 303 AD. The artist rendered this heart-wrenching scene with remarkable power in a dramatic composition characterized by vivid colors. Nicolas Poussin’s famous work from 1628, on display in the Vatican Pinacoteca, helped spread awareness of this brutal episode. Poussin’s interpretation of the cruel martyrdom—depicting the saint’s extreme torment as he was disemboweled by a winch—captured the interest of artists of the time, some of whom reinterpreted the scene. In this case, the painter depicts the martyrdom in the typical style of Flemish painting, choosing to set the scene inside a prison rather than outdoors, in keeping with the unmistakable characteristics of Northern art. The work features a meticulous rendering of every detail, from the instruments of torture to the colorful garments of the torturers and their headdresses. Emperor Diocletian, clad in a carmine-red cloak, looks on with satisfaction at the terrible punishment he himself has inflicted upon the saint, who lies naked on a wooden plank with his abdomen slit open by a sword; his entrails are being wound onto a winch operated by one of the executioners. The use of light and vivid color on the figures is superb, emphasized by the gloomy darkness of the cell, illuminated only by a small barred window. On the floor lie the bishop’s robes and miter, along with his Holy Scriptures, their pages torn. The canvas is painted with precision and great descriptive skill, as evidenced by its excellent condition.
The artist is a talented 17th-century Flemish master who paints in the style typical of Frans Franken II and is among his followers working in the city of Antwerp, a hub of talented artists.

We issue a stamped and signed certificate of authenticity guaranteeing the work’s period, provenance, and all its characteristics, drawn up by an antiquarian affiliated with FIMA (Italian Federation of Art Dealers).

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