Martyrdom of St Andrew after 1435

This small-scale painting by Stefan Lochner, a leading artist of the Cologne School, depicts the martyrdom of Saint Andrew, one of the twelve Apostles of Jesus. The scene is set in a landscape with Saint Andrew tied to an X-shaped cross with a large red cloak. In the foreground, a group of diversely dressed individuals observes the saint's suffering, with their reactions ranging from awe to grief. Lochner's detailed brushwork and vibrant colors create a realistic and emotional representation of the biblical story. The painting, currently held in the Städel Museum, serves as a powerful reminder of faith and the resilience of the human spirit.