Saint Margaret of Cortona 1737

Giovanni Battista Piazzetta rendered this oil on canvas of Saint Margaret of Cortona sometime in the first half of the 18th century. Piazzetta was a leading Venetian Rococo artist, and he brings his characteristic tenebrism to bear on this devotional image. Margaret of Cortona’s story is one of transformation. Born into poverty, she lived a life marked by transgression before experiencing a profound religious conversion. Piazzetta’s painting depicts the saint in a moment of penitent contemplation, her eyes closed in communion with the crucified Christ looming behind her. The inclusion of the small dog at her side is a poignant detail. It reminds us that even in her deepest solitude, Margaret was not entirely alone. The dog’s presence invites us to consider the bonds between humans and animals, and how these relationships can sustain us. This small painting is not just an image of saintly devotion, but a testament to the power of faith, love, and companionship in the face of adversity.