Title: A Female Martyr Saint (ca. 1650)
Date:
Artist: Carlo Francesco Nuvolone (Italian, 1609-1662)
Description:
Visual description: “A Female Martyr Saint” by Carlo Francesco Nuvolone, created around 1650, is a captivating Baroque painting that beautifully captures the serene and pious expression of a young female martyr. The saint is depicted with a soft, contemplative gaze, her face partially shadowed, which adds to the depth and intensity of her expression. Her head is adorned with a simple headscarf, and her attire, featuring rich, deep reds and subtle blues, drapes elegantly over her shoulders. In her hand, she holds a palm frond, a traditional symbol of martyrdom, which adds a layer of symbolism and religious significance to the artwork. The dark, subdued background emphasizes the saint’s gentle features and the luminous quality of her skin, highlighting Nuvolone’s skillful use of light and shadow. This painting, representative of Italian Baroque art, reflects themes of faith, sacrifice, and divine grace.