St Agatha, Martyr

Mariano Rossi (1731-1807)

The Martyrdom of St Agnes

Oil on canvas

61 x 36 cm

Musée du Louvre, Paris

Rossi was born in Sicily and trained in Naples and in Rome, eventually returning home

He had many religious art commissions in Sicily and from Rome

He died in Rome and is buried in the Church of Santa Susanna, the American Catholic church in Rome

St. Agatha was born in Catania, Sicily in the 3rd century A.D

During the persecution of the Roman Emperor Trajanus Decus (AD 249- 251), she rejected the love of the Roman governor Quintianus and like Saint Agnes, was thrown into a brothel. She was subjected to violent tortures before dying a martyr`s death

Patron of Catania, her devotion is very strong in Sicily

Giovanni e Battista Baschenis

Martirio di Sant’Agata,

1488

Fresco

Church of St Agatha, Commezzadura

Her story prompted many depictions of her fate throughout Europe

Jean Bellegambe (c 1470- c 1534)

The Martyrdom of St Agatha

Oil on wooden panel

60 x 44 cm

Musée de la Chartreuse, Douai

Jean Bellegambe was active in the Franco-Netherlandish border town of Douai, now part of Northern France but earlier under the rule of the counts of Flanders. He was influenced by both French and Flemish art 

Giovanni Battista Tiepolo 1696 - 1770

Martyrdom of Saint Agatha

1734

Oil on canvas

48.9 cm x 30 cm

The Courtauld Gallery, London

Guglielmo Caccia (1568 - 1625)

St Agatha

Oil on canvas

113,5 cm x 230 cm

Chiesa di S. Maria Annunciata, Milan

Blessed Pope John Paul II said in a homily on 1st October 1999:

"From her very origins, the Church, although conditioned by the cultures surrounding her, has always recognized the full spiritual dignity of women, beginning with the unique vocation and mission of Mary, Mother of the Redeemer.  

From the very start, Christians have turned to women such as Felicity, Perpetua, Agatha, Lucy, Agnes, Cecilia and Anastasia - as the Roman Canon attests - with no less fervour than that reserved for saintly men."