The martyrdom of Sts Maris and Martha of Persia and their sons 1591 - 1641

This anonymous drawing depicts the martyrdom of St Maris, St Martha, and their sons and was executed in an unknown medium. The story of these saints comes to us from Persia and tells of their execution for refusing to renounce their Christian faith. The image creates meaning through its stark depiction of power. On the left, a king gestures towards the execution as he sits enthroned. His body language suggests complete control over the life and death of his subjects. On the right, the executioner towers over the kneeling figure, the upraised axe about to fall. The artist uses these visual cues to underscore the themes of religious persecution, power, and the willingness to die for one's beliefs. Church records, historical texts, and studies of religious art from Persia will further enrich our understanding of this drawing. By examining such resources, we can better understand the social conditions that shaped its production and reception, seeing how art engages with and reflects the values of its time.