Saint Agnes of Rome

Joseph Désiré Court (1797-1865)

Le Martyre de sainte Agnès/ The Martyrdom of St Agnes

1864 

(Salon de 1865)

Oil on canvas

496 x 812 cm

Musée des Beaux-Arts, Rouen

The scale of the massive work can be seen from the following image:

The exact title of the work is: Martyrdom of Saint Agnes in the Roman Forum, in the Year 303, under Diocletian

Which is really what sums up a huge and massive work in a comparatively few words

It is however rather difficult to see the actual martyrdom notwithstanding that she is at the centre of the work and her death is the theme of the painting

The martyrdom is really subordinate to the study of Imperial Rome

It used to hang in the town hall of Rouen from 1897 to 1925 when it was transferred to the Museum

A distinguished history painter and portrait painter, Court won the Prix de Rome in 1821

In 1853 he was appointed the Curator of the Museum at Rouen where his work now stands

Last year the work was the subject of a number of news articles after it was reported that the French President, M François Hollande, had declined to deliver a speech for the opening of an arts festival in front of the painting and when it could not be moved that it was covered by a blue sheet

In fact he cancelled the visit for some unexplained reason. Vatican Insider also picked up the story

Some said that it was because of its religious subject. Others simply that the glare from the painting would cause problems for the photographers and cameramen who would be there to record the event. Others that he had simply good taste

However it is strange that the story of a martyr who was killed 19 centuries ago for the faith can still cause an Imperial sovereign to stop in his tracks

St Ambrose in his panegyric explained why this young girl was such a great force in her time:

"A new kind of martyrdom! 

Not yet of fit age for punishment but already ripe for victory, difficult to contend with but easy to be crowned, she filled the office of teaching valour while having the disadvantage of youth. She would not as a bride so hasten to the couch, as being a virgin she joyfully went to the place of punishment with hurrying step, her head not adorned with plaited hair, but with Christ. 

All wept, she alone was without a tear. 

All wondered that she was so readily prodigal of her life, which she had not yet enjoyed, and now gave up as though she had gone through it. 

Every one was astounded that there was now one to bear witness to the Godhead, who as yet could not, because of her age, dispose of herself. 

And she brought it to pass that she should be believed concerning God, whose evidence concerning man would not be accepted. 

For that which is beyond nature is from the Author of nature"

More recently Blessed Pope John Paul II remarked:

"As an alternative to the many things we could own, the Lord offers the one thing that is essential: to leave everything for love and to follow him: "Come, follow me" (Mk 10:21). 

The virgin and martyr Agnes responded with total generosity and an undivided heart to Christ's invitation: she made her own existence an "eloquent and attractive example of a life completely transfigured by the splendour of moral truth" (cf. Veritatis splendor, n. 93). 

Because of this, she herself was able to brighten "every period of history by reawakening its moral sense" (ibid.). 

Her example encouraged many believers over the centuries to follow in her footsteps."

The discreet little nun who could speed Pope John Paul II to sainthood

The Times reports that a French nun will be thrust into the global limelight today when Catholic Church authorities explain that her purported recovery from Parkinson’s disease can be attributed to the miraculous intervention of Pope John Paul II.

The sudden return to health of Sister Marie-Simon-Pierre after she scrawled Pope John Paul’s name on a piece of paper is being hailed as the post-humous miracle needed to set the late Pope on the road towards sainthood.

Sister Marie-Simon-Pierre, from Puyricard, near Aix-en-Provence, in southern France, said she was struck by Parkinson’s disease in 2001. Her condition worsened over the next four years and, by the time the Pope died in April 2005, she was unable to stand or walk. She had stopped working as a nurse in a Paris maternity hospital and was confined to office activities.

Two months later she tried to write down John Paul II’s name as she prayed to him for help “but all that came out was a scribble,” she said in an account sent to the Vatican.

However, that evening, the “miracle” occurred.

“I fell asleep and, waking up several hours later, felt that the illness had disappeared,” said Sister Marie-Simon-Pierre.

She leapt out of bed and went to the chapel to pray.

“I felt a profound sense of peace and wellbeing. My hand did not tremble anymore.” Four days later the doctor who had been treating her for four years declared that the symptoms had vanished completely, with no medical explanation.