The Martyrdom of St. Lawrence 1559

Titian painted ‘The Martyrdom of St. Lawrence’ for the church of Santa Maria Assunta in Venice, and it was completed in the mid-16th century. During the Renaissance, artists were often tasked with visually reinforcing the power and narratives of the church, and Titian masterfully employs dramatic light and shadow to create an emotionally charged scene. Lawrence, a Christian martyr, is depicted being burned alive, yet he directs his gaze upward toward a divine light. In an era of religious conflict and reformation, such depictions were meant to inspire faith and devotion and to affirm the church’s authority. As a painter working for the church, Titian had to maintain the traditional representations, as can be seen in this painting. But what if the traditional representations do not account for the experiences of all? What does this artwork say to those who have experienced religious persecution?