Artwork
Martyrium des hl. Erasmus (zugeschrieben)
Martyrium des hl. Erasmus (zugeschrieben) is an unspecified painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Daniel Seiter. It dates from 1688 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.
About this work
Overview
Attributed to the Austrian-born, Italy‑trained painter Daniel Seiter, the canvas dates to 1688 and is part of the collection of Munich’s Alte Pinakothek. Executed within the Flemish Baroque idiom, it portrays the brutal death of Saint Erasmus, a figure traditionally invoked for relief from gastrointestinal afflictions.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is a man bound on his back, his legs lifted and secured with ropes, while a group of tormentors surround him, brandishing implements of torture. The composition emphasizes the saint’s suffering, reflecting the Counter‑Reformation emphasis on the power of martyrdom as a testament to faith.
Technique & Style
Seiter employs a stark chiaroscuro, using deep shadows to envelop the background and a focused light that catches the contorted body and the gleam of torture devices. This contrast heightens the drama and draws the viewer’s eye to the physical anguish and the ominous objects—a wheel and pincers—looming behind.
History & Provenance
The work entered the Alte Pinakothek’s holdings in the 19th century, where it has remained on display. Its attribution to Seiter rests on stylistic analysis linking it to his known oeuvre, though the painting’s documentation prior to its museum acquisition is limited.
Artist & collection
Artist
Daniel Seiter, Saiter, or Seyter (c. 1642/1647–1705) was a Viennese-born painter of the Baroque, who trained and worked in Italy.
