Who painted Death of St Peter Martyr?

Death of St Peter Martyr was painted by Tizianello.

Where can I see Death of St Peter Martyr?

Death of St Peter Martyr is held by Fitzwilliam Museum.

What movement is Death of St Peter Martyr?

Death of St Peter Martyr is associated with High Baroque Italian.

Artwork

Death of St Peter Martyr

Tizianello

Death of St Peter Martyr is an oil painting by the High Baroque Italian artist Tizianello. It is held in the collection of the Fitzwilliam Museum.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1700, this oil on canvas by the Italian painter Tizianello portrays the martyrdom of Saint Peter of Verona. The work is part of the collection of the Fitzwilliam Museum and presents a nocturnal, forested setting in which the saint’s death is dramatized through a group of struggling figures beneath a hovering infant-like figure.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on the violent end of Peter of Verona, a 13th‑century Dominican preacher canonized for his preaching against heresy. The painting captures the moment of his assassination, emphasizing the tension between the saint’s spiritual authority and the earthly violence inflicted upon him, while the serene, winged infant above may symbolize divine oversight or the soul’s innocence.

Technique & Style

Tizianello employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, contrasting deep shadows of the surrounding trees with a luminous focal area that isolates the figures. The brushwork renders the muscular forms of the attackers with a tactile quality, while the ethereal infant is rendered with softer, almost glowing tones, heightening the dramatic interplay of light and darkness.

History & Provenance

The painting entered the Fitzwilliam Museum’s holdings in the early 20th century, though its precise acquisition path remains undocumented. Since its arrival, it has been displayed as part of the museum’s Baroque religious series, offering insight into lesser‑known Italian devotional art of the turn of the 18th century.