The Martyrdom of Saint Lawrence Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Martyrdom of Saint Lawrence - Essay Examplening a space, luminosity can become used to show on the focal point of space and bring out the elements of union, harmony, and balance within a space.Undertaken between 1628 and 1632, the martyrdom of Saint Lawrence is a painting by the Italian baroque artist Massimo Stanzione who was mainly active in Naples (BBC, 2015). The painting depicts the martyrdom of Saint Lawrence of Rome in the third century who got killed by roast over a hot gridiron. Saint Lawrence of Rome, a 3rd century archdeacon was martyred in 258 A.D (Archer, 2012). under Emperor Valerians persecution of Christians. Lawrence got persecuted for distributing the churchs assets to the poor sort of of turning it over to the empire as instructed by the empire. The move angered the prefect responsible for collecting the churchs wealth that he asked for the immediate action of Lawrence by roasting him on a gridiron warmed with hot coal. The painting is noted for its gruesome naturalistic element and rich color sedulous by Stanzione. Stanzione was revered for his use of rich color and idealized naturalism that he had a massive influence on other local artists. This gets taked effectively on his piece the martyrdom of Saint Lawrence.The martyrdom of Saint Lawrence employs the technique of oil on canvas. Stanzione was greatly influenced by Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio. He combined Caravaggios dramatically lit and brutally realistic style with the classical and lyrical manner of Bolognesi painters (Kleiner, 2009). Stanzione had great mastery over religious art due to his gigantic altarpieces and frescoes. In the martyrdom of Saint Lawrence painting, Stanzione captures an imposing nocturnal scene of the persecution of Saint Lawrence. The grisly nature of the piece gets captured by the emphasis of the dramatic light and shadow. To capture Lawrences martyrdom, Stanzione employs illumination by the divine light coming from the skies or heavens. At the