The Martyrdom of the Seven Sons of Saint Felicity
The most prominent cardinal in Rome ordered this painting as a gift for a French minister and his wife, whose name, Catherine Félicité, inspired the choice of subject. The Christian martyr Saint Felicity – here in a yellow gown – was forced to witness the martyrdom of her seven sons before herself being beheaded. Trevisani included two self-portraits: as the standing man at left, and as the man looking out at us from behind the statue at right.
1709
Oil on canvas
75.0 x 62.6cm
SK-A-4995
Image and text courtesy of Rijksmuseum, 2019
Where you'll find this
Rijksmuseum
Permanent collection