The Martyrdom of Saint Thomas of Canterbury 1426

"The Martyrdom of Saint Thomas of Canterbury" (1426) by Master Francke depicts the violent death of Saint Thomas Becket. The painting shows the saint kneeling in prayer as he is attacked by four knights. The dramatic scene is set against a red background with gold stars, a common motif in Northern European art of the period. The painting is an excellent example of the expressive style of the early Netherlandish painting. Saint Thomas, the Archbishop of Canterbury, was murdered in 1170. This painting, currently housed in the Kunsthalle Hamburg, showcases the enduring reverence for this martyr in the centuries following his death.