Who painted Martyrdom of Saint Lawrence?

Martyrdom of Saint Lawrence was painted by Paolo Gerolamo Piola in 1722.

Where can I see Martyrdom of Saint Lawrence?

Martyrdom of Saint Lawrence is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Martyrdom of Saint Lawrence?

Martyrdom of Saint Lawrence is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Martyrdom of Saint Lawrence

Paolo Gerolamo Piola , 1722

Martyrdom of Saint Lawrence is a gouache drawing by the Baroque artist Paolo Gerolamo Piola. It dates from 1722 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Paolo Gerolamo Piola’s 1722 drawing depicts the martyrdom of Saint Lawrence. Executed on gray‑blue laid paper, the work combines pen, brown ink, brown wash, black chalk and touches of white gouache, creating a layered monochrome composition that is part of the National Gallery of Art’s collection in Washington.

Subject & Meaning

The image centers on Saint Lawrence, shown on a pyre as he is burned to death, while a tumultuous crowd surrounds him. Two robed women with staffs stand near the flames, and a group of angels hovers above, holding wreaths and gazing downward, suggesting the saint’s soul’s ascent to heaven amid earthly cruelty.

Technique & Style

Piola employs a restrained palette of browns and whites, using fine pen lines for detail and broader washes for atmospheric depth. The contrast between the sharp, gestural strokes and the soft, diffused wash heightens the dramatic tension, reflecting the emotive intensity characteristic of early‑18th‑century Baroque drawing.

History & Provenance

Created in 1722, the drawing entered the National Gallery of Art’s holdings in Washington, D.C., where it remains on display. Its provenance prior to acquisition is documented through the gallery’s records, confirming its attribution to Piola and its preservation in a museum setting.

Context

The work belongs to a period when religious subjects were rendered with heightened emotionalism, aligning with Baroque conventions that emphasized theatricality and spiritual fervor. Saint Lawrence’s martyrdom, a popular theme in Counter‑Reformation art, provided a narrative vehicle for such expressive visual storytelling.

Artist & collection

Artist

Paolo Gerolamo Piola

Paolo Gerolamo Piola (1666–1724) was an Italian Baroque painter, residing mainly in Genoa. His father, Domenico Piola, was a prominent Genoese painter. Paolo Gerolamo was very active painting sacred subjects and frescoes.