Relief, gilt bronze, The Martyrdom of St. Paul, by Alessando Algardi, Rome, Italy, ca. 1650

The Martyrdom of St. Paul, is a circular relief. The scene is set in an extensive landscape. On the left the executioner is represented standing in right profile with left arm raised and a sword in his right hand. In the centre, on a rear plane, lies the decapitated body of the Saint, and on the right is a kneeling figure of Domitilla bending over the Saint's head. Behind on the right are three of the Saint's followers, one holding up his cloak, and on the left is a forth disciple kissing his feet, with, behind, a lamenting woman. Three soldiers, two mounted, and a standing woman are seen in the centre background.

Purchased in Florence in 1869.

This is a gilt bronze relief made by Alessandro Algardi in Rome, Italy, about 1650. The relief represents the Martyrdom of St. Paul. This is one of a number of versions of the gilt bronze relief on the altar frontal of San Paolo in Bologna, which was cast by Cesare Sebastiani for Algardi in 1648. This version was possibly made from the same mould as the original, but lacks some of the detail. The relief supplements the full-scale marble group of the Execution of St Paul above. The latter stands above the high altar and was commissioned under the will of Paolo Spada, who died in 1631.

111-1869