Artwork
The Martyrdom of Saint Alexander of Bergamo
The Martyrdom of Saint Alexander of Bergamo is an ink drawing by the Renaissance artist Lorenzo Lotto. It dates from 1524 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1524, this drawing by Lorenzo Lotto portrays the execution of Saint Alexander of Berggio. Executed with pen and brown ink over a graphite underdrawing, the work incorporates white gouache for corrective touches on the horse’s head. The composition spans two vertically joined sheets, each carefully squared with graphite to maintain proportional accuracy.
Subject & Meaning
The image captures the moment of Saint Alexander’s martyrdom: the saint kneels with his hands bound, while a soldier stands behind him, sword raised for the beheading. A landscape of trees and rolling hills frames the scene, underscoring the narrative’s solemnity and the saint’s steadfast faith amid violence.
Technique & Style
Lotto’s handling of line and shading demonstrates a Renaissance concern for naturalism and spatial depth. The brown ink delineates form and volume, while the underlying graphite sketch provides a precise framework. White gouache is employed sparingly to adjust details, notably on the horse’s head, revealing the artist’s iterative process.
Context
Although Lotto is often linked to the Venetian school, his career unfolded mainly in northern Italian towns beyond Venice. This drawing reflects his engagement with religious themes and his skill in rendering human emotion, characteristic of the High Renaissance transitioning toward early Mannerist tendencies.
Artist & collection
Artist
Lorenzo Lotto (c. 1480 – 1556/57) was an Italian Renaissance painter, draughtsman, and illustrator, traditionally placed in the Venetian school, though much of his career was spent in other north Italian cities. He…
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