Artwork
The Martyrdom of Saint Adrian; The Martyrdom of Two Saints, Possibly Ache and Acheul
The Martyrdom of Saint Adrian; The Martyrdom of Two Saints, Possibly Ache and Acheul is an oil painting. It dates from 1490 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This oil painting, known by two titles, depicts a scene of religious persecution.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
Iconographically the composition highlights suffering and divine witness through traditional martyrdom symbols that convey steadfast faith.
The painting depicts the martyrdom of Saint Adrian, accompanied by two other saints who may be identified as Ache and Acheul, presenting a narrative of Christian sacrifice.
Iconographically the composition highlights suffering and divine witness through traditional martyrdom symbols that convey steadfast faith. Symbolically it expresses the triumph of spiritual endurance over persecution, a theme recurring in devotional art.
Executed in 1480, the oil‑on‑canvas panel measures 58.1 × 27.9 cm and entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it was later owned by Michael Dreicer.
Technique & Style
Created in 1480 by a Northern French painter, this work is an oil painting executed on canvas. The composition measures 58.1 cm in height and 27.9 cm in width. Stylistically, the piece functions as a religious genre work, depicting male figures within a narrative context.
The application of oil paint on a textile support reflects the material practices of the late fifteenth century in this region. The slender vertical proportions of the support suggest a specific compositional approach to the depicted martyrdom scene.
History & Provenance
The painting dates to 1480 and is executed in oil on canvas, as recorded in catalogue and structured data for the work. It passed through the collection of Michael Dreicer before entering the holdings of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is now held. No further details of commission, intermediate ownership, or acquisition circumstances are documented in the available sources.
The work is catalogued under the dual titles "The Martyrdom of Saint Adrian" and "The Martyrdom of Two Saints, Possibly Ache and Acheul."
The painting is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Its earlier provenance includes ownership by Michael Dreicer before it entered the museum's holdings. Dated to 1480 and executed in oil on canvas, the work measures 58.1 by 27.9 centimeters. No specific accession number or exhibition history is documented in the available sources.
Overview
This oil painting, known by two titles, depicts a scene of religious persecution. It portrays a group gathered around two central figures, one of whom is being prepared for a painful ordeal. The composition features a blend of human drama and a landscape setting, with distant architectural elements and a dynamic sky. The work utilizes oil paint to convey its narrative and visual intensity.
Artist & collection
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Cutting the Stone- Martyrdom of Saint Bartholomew
