Saint Martyr Erasmus from Formia
Saint Martyr Erasmus from Formia
Saint Martyr Erasmus from Formia
Saint Martyr Erasmus from Formia
Saint Martyr Erasmus from Formia

Saint Martyr Erasmus from Formia

Author: Czechowicz Szymon, 1689 - 1775

Created: mid-18th century.

Material / technique: oil on canvas.  

Dimensions: 79 x 55 cm.

This painting depicts Saint Erasmus, Bishop of Formia (Italy), also known as Saint Elmo, who lived in the 3rd century and died as a martyr during the rule of the emperor Diocletian. The cult of this saint has been widespread in the Catholic Church since antiquity. Starting the Middle Ages, Saint Erasmus has been considered to be one of the fourteen saints helping the believers in times of perils and strife. The saint is portrayed typically, wearing liturgical bishop robes and holding the tool used to torture him - a windlass with his own entrails wrapped around it. These details are typical to the iconography of Saint Erasmus. (by dr. Rūta Janonienė)

Exhibitions: "Under Italian Skies. Lithuanian artists’ works from the 18th - first half of the 20th centuries", 1 December 2017 - 26 August 2018, Lithuanian Art Museum, Vilnius Picture Gallery.; exhibition "Art Vilnius" 2019.

Photographs: display in the exhibition "Under Italian Skies. Lithuanian artists’ works from the 18th - first half of the 20th centuries", 1 December 2017 - 26 August 2018, Lithuanian Art Museum, Vilnius Picture Gallery; display in the exhibition "Art Vilnius" 2019; "Leaderpia" -  South Korean media.