Description
NAPOLITAN SCHOOL C. 1760 SAINT MARGARET OF CORTONA Canvas Neapolitan school c. 1760, Saint Margaret of Cortona, on canvas 64 x 51 cm - 25,2 x 20,1 in. Saint Margaret of Cortona, born in 1247 in Umbria, lived in sin and idleness until her dog discovered the body of one of her lovers, the Count of Montepulciano. The horror inspired by the sight of her lover's rotting corpse made her realize the shame of her debauchery. She joined the Third Order of Saint Francis in Cortona, where she imposed a severe penance on herself and took a vow of poverty. The intransigence of her penance is represented here by the severity of the angel's gaze and the gesture pointing to the crucifix. The crucifix and the skull at his feet are the attributes of the penitent hermit. Her torn garment and her bare, dirty feet remind us of the saint's vow of poverty when she joined the Franciscan Order.
19
NAPOLITAN SCHOOL C. 1760 SAINT MARGARET OF CORTONA Canvas Neapolitan school c. 1760, Saint Margaret of Cortona, on canvas 64 x 51 cm - 25,2 x 20,1 in. Saint Margaret of Cortona, born in 1247 in Umbria, lived in sin and idleness until her dog discovered the body of one of her lovers, the Count of Montepulciano. The horror inspired by the sight of her lover's rotting corpse made her realize the shame of her debauchery. She joined the Third Order of Saint Francis in Cortona, where she imposed a severe penance on herself and took a vow of poverty. The intransigence of her penance is represented here by the severity of the angel's gaze and the gesture pointing to the crucifix. The crucifix and the skull at his feet are the attributes of the penitent hermit. Her torn garment and her bare, dirty feet remind us of the saint's vow of poverty when she joined the Franciscan Order.
