The Martyrdom of Saint Christopher
c. 1448-1457 Ovetari Chapel, Church of the Eremitani, Padua
About this artwork
This artwork is a segment of Andrea Mantegna's extensive fresco cycle illustrating scenes from the lives of Saints James and Christopher, originally located in the Ovetari Chapel. It showcases the artist's pioneering use of dramatic perspective and detailed classical architecture, reflecting the innovations of the Early Renaissance. Much of the Ovetari Chapel frescoes suffered severe damage during World War II.
Did you know?
Andrea Mantegna's frescoes in the Ovetari Chapel, including these scenes of Saint Christopher's martyrdom, were a monumental achievement of the Early Renaissance. Tragically, much of this celebrated chapel and its artworks were almost entirely destroyed during an Allied air raid in 1944. Despite the devastation, painstaking restoration efforts have managed to piece together fragments, reminding us of the fragility of artistic heritage.
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The Martyrdom of Saint Christopher
Andrea Mantegna, c. 1448-1457
