Saint Ignatius of Antioch Disemboweled by Trajan's Torturers 1525 - 1527

Domenico Beccafumi's "Saint Ignatius of Antioch Disemboweled by Trajan's Torturers," a tondo painted between 1525-1527, depicts the brutal martyrdom of Saint Ignatius, a 2nd-century bishop. The central figure, Saint Ignatius, is bound and being disemboweled by two Roman soldiers. The dramatic scene is framed by a circular border, highlighting the brutality of the event. Beccafumi's painting is a powerful reminder of the violent persecution faced by early Christians. The Art Institute of Chicago, where this artwork is located, houses this powerful example of High Renaissance painting.