Martyrdom of Saint Marta
1741
oil
From the collection of Museum of Fine Arts Boston
1741
oil
From the collection of Museum of Fine Arts Boston
This painting shows a dramatic scene with many figures. In the center, a woman in a white dress is being attacked by a man with a sword. On the right, a group of people are trying to protect her. The background is dark and smoky, with some buildings visible. The painting's use of chiaroscuro creates strong contrasts between light and dark, drawing the viewer's attention to the central figures. If you want to learn more about this style, look up the technique of chiaroscuro.