Saint Martin and the Beggar

About this artwork

This plate is an appliqué seal, intended as a decorative element for a garment or possibly as a simple pilgrimage medallion. The work tells a story of charity. It depicts Martin of Tours, a French soldier of the fourth century who, when accosted by a beggar at the gates of Amiens, cut a portion of his cloak and gave it to him. Saint Martin is depicted midway through cutting away his cloak with his saber. The bronze is often attributed to an artist in the northern Netherlands, which is due in par...