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The Martyrdom of Saint Ursula | |
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Italian: Martirio di Sant' Orsola | |
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Artist | Caravaggio |
Year | 1610 |
Medium | Oil on canvas |
Dimensions | 140.5 cm × 170.5 cm (55.3 in × 67.1 in) |
Location | Palazzo Zevallos Stigliano, Naples, Naples |
The Martyrdom of Saint Ursula (1610) is a painting by the Italian artist Caravaggio (1571–1610) and thought to be his last picture.[1] It is in the Intesa Sanpaolo Collection, the Gallery of Palazzo Zevallos Stigliano, Naples.[1]
According to one version of the legend of Saint Ursula, she and her eleven thousand virgin companions were captured by the Huns. The eleven thousand virgins were slaughtered, but the king of the Huns was overcome by Ursula's modesty and beauty and begged her forgiveness if only she would marry him. Ursula replied that she would not, upon which the king shot her with an arrow.[2]