Saint Lucy
c. 1473/1474
Medium
tempera on poplar panel
Dimensions
overall: 77.2 × 56 cm (30 3/8 × 22 1/16 in.) framed: 107.32 × 74.61 × 15.24 cm (42 1/4 × 29 3/8 × 6 in.)
Classification
Painting
Department
CIS-R
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Samuel H. Kress Collection
Accession Number
1939.1.228
Art Historical Context
Behold *Saint Lucy*, a luminous tempera painting on poplar panel by Francesco Cossa, created around 1473–1474. This intimate portrait (77.2 × cm) captures the early Christian martyr and patron saint of eyesight, traditionally shown holding her on a plate—a poignant symbol of her torture and unwavering faith. Del Cossa a master of the Ferrarese Renaissance from northern Italy, infuses the saint with serene elegance, her golden halo and rich brocaded robes glowing against a dark background. Painted in tempera—a meticulous egg-yolk-based medium favored in the 15th century for its vibrant colors...