Great 17th-century religious painting, Martyrdom of Saint Lawrence

COD 11454. An important 17th-century Italian painting. This artwork oil on canvas depicts the martyrdom of Saint Lawrence in the presence of Emperor Valerian, one of the most powerful and widespread subjects of the Baroque period. Saint Lawrence, a Roman deacon, is traditionally depicted half-naked and being tortured on the gridiron, a symbol of his unwavering faith. A motley crowd of tormentors, soldiers, and spectators moves around the saint, robust and detailed figures that lend theatricality and dynamism to the composition. In the upper left, we glimpse the Emperor, while two small angels with a crown of flowers and the palm of martyrdom appear among the clouds, and the Saint, with a gesture, appears to be turning his arm toward them. A painting of remarkable pictorial quality that reveals the hand of a cultured painter accustomed to handling crowded scenes and complex subjects, presumably a master active in Naples in the first half of the 17th century. An ideal painting for a stately home or prestigious professional studio, it would be a perfect addition to a collection of early religious paintings. 20th-century carved and gilded wooden frame, beautifully decorated, with some signs of aging. The painting has already been restored with re-lining, replacement of the stretcher, and recoloring in small areas. Overall, it is in good condition. Internal dimensions: H 98.5 X W 125 cm.