The Martyrdom of the Seven Sons of Saint Felicity

The most prominent cardinal in Rome ordered this painting as a gift for a French minister and his wife, whose name, Catherine Félicité, inspired the choice of subject. The Christian martyr Saint Felicity – here in a yellow gown – was forced to witness the martyrdom of her seven sons before herself being beheaded. Trevisani included two self-portraits: as the standing man at left, and as the man looking out at us from behind the statue at right.

The Martyrdom of the Seven Sons of Saint Felicity

The most prominent cardinal in Rome ordered this painting as a gift for a French minister and his wife, whose name, Catherine Félicité, inspired the choice of subject. The Christian martyr Saint Felicity – here in a yellow gown – was forced to witness the martyrdom of her seven sons before herself being beheaded. Trevisani included two self-portraits: as the standing man at left, and as the man looking out at us from behind the statue at right.