The artwork titled “Martyrdom of St. Peter Martyr” was created by artist Domenico Ghirlandaio between the years of 1486 and 1490. Executed in fresco, this piece belongs to the Early Renaissance art movement and falls under the genre of religious painting. Currently, the artwork is situated in Santa Maria Novella, a church in Florence, Italy.
The artwork dramatically depicts the martyrdom of Saint Peter Martyr. Centrally, the scene focuses on the intense and violent moment of his attack. Saint Peter Martyr is shown kneeling and succumbing to the wound on his chest, his expression conveying a sense of serene resignation and suffering. An attacker, clothed in intense red trousers and white tunic, brandishes a weapon overhead, ready to strike again. Another unarmed figure, most likely a fellow clergyman, stands behind Saint Peter, displaying a face of horror and panic. The detailed forested landscape in the background and the carefully rendered clothing and expressions bring a tangible emotional depth to the scene. The fresco is intricately bordered by a decorative frame, which helps to encapsulate the gravity of the moment within the religious context of its surrounding environment.
