Martyrdom of St. Agatha

Martyrdom of St. Agatha

A knife in the lower left corner draws attention to the artist's inscription, a curiously cruel association with the torture taking place. Agatha, subjected to a series of gender-specific tests and torments, emerged virtuous and victorious. In a work that his contemporaries considered his best, Sebastiano displayed the virgin saint's unmarred, uncringing, and Michelangelesque body.

Sebastiano del Piombo
Italian, 1485-1547

1520

Oil on wood, 127 x 178 cm

Painting