St Lawrence, who lived in the third century CE, was Deacon of Rome and, as such, was responsible for administering the church treasures. After the murder of the Pope, he did not hand over these treasures to the Emperor Valerian but distributed them, instead, among the poor and sick. As punishment for this, he was martyred by being roasted to death. In the right foreground we see Lawrence immersed in bright light, looking up towards Heaven while his torturers prepare the fire.
Further Media
- Material & Technique
- Oil on canvas
- Museum
- Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister
- Dating
- c. 1625
- Inventory number
- Gal.-Nr. 686