Artwork
The martyrdom of Saint Cyriacus
The martyrdom of Saint Cyriacus is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Bartholomaeus Bruyn the Elder. It dates from 1532 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.
About this work
Overview
Bartholomaeus Bruyn the Elder, a Cologne‑based painter of the German Renaissance, completed The Martyrdom of Saint Cyriacus in 1532. Executed in oil on canvas, the work portrays a violent religious episode and is now part of the Alte Pinakothek’s collection.
Subject & Meaning
The composition shows a man in a yellow robe wielding an axe to behead a kneeling figure, whose head is tipped back to reveal his neck. A bishop in elaborate vestments watches from the right, while other onlookers stand behind, suggesting a public execution sanctioned by ecclesiastical authority.
Technique & Style
Bruyn employs chiaroscuro to heighten drama, contrasting illuminated figures against a darker backdrop. The landscape behind the scene, with rolling hills and a clear sky, provides depth, while the careful modeling of light on flesh and fabric enhances the emotional intensity of the moment.
History & Provenance
Although primarily known for portraits and altarpieces, Bruyn’s Saint Cyriacus reflects the early Baroque influences spreading from Italy to northern Europe. The painting entered the Alte Pinakothek’s holdings in the 19th century, where it remains displayed as an example of Cologne’s leading Renaissance output.
Artist & collection
Artist
Bartholomäus Bruyn (1493–1555), usually called Barthel Bruyn or Barthel Bruyn the Elder, was a German Renaissance painter active in Cologne. He painted altarpieces and portraits, and was Cologne's foremost portrait painter of his day.
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