Indo Portuguese Goa Reverse Painting on Glass of St Laurence (1700 to 1800 Indo-Portuguese)

Wood, Glass, mirror glass, oil

St Laurence was a deacon and martyr of Rome who died in 258 AD. He was prominent in the giving of alms, which was a part of his duties, and closely associated with Pope Sixtus II who was martyred a few days before him in the persecution of Valerian. However, other details including the famous roasting on the gridiron are quite unhistorical, as the contemporary instrument of capital punishment was the sword. His ‘Acts’ with their vivid dialogue and imaginary details powerfully contributed to the cult of Rome’s most famous post – apostolic martyr.

An Indo Portuguese Goa Reverse Painting on Glass of St Laurence the Martyr
Depicted with his attributes of the fire, gridiron, and meat hooks
An inscription to the reverse ‘St Laonte’, the frame with mirrored glass slips
Late 18th Century

Size: 37cm high, 29.5cm wide – 14½ ins high, 11½ ins wide

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