The artwork titled “Saint Eulalia,” painted by John William Waterhouse in 1885 using oil on canvas, is a notable piece from the Romanticism art movement. This religious painting measures 188.6 by 117.48 centimeters and is currently located at Tate Britain in London, UK.
The artwork vividly depicts the tragic scene of the martyrdom of Saint Eulalia, a young Christian girl who, according to legend, was martyred during the Roman persecution of Christians. Saint Eulalia’s lifeless body, draped in a simple red cloth, lies sprawled on a snowy marble courtyard, surrounded by doves, symbols of innocence and peace. Her body is shown with outstretched arms and disheveled hair, emphasizing her tragic fate and the violence she endured. Onlookers in various states of distress and a Roman soldier, possibly representing her persecutors, further enhance the dramatic and sorrowful atmosphere of the scene. The imposing classical architecture in the background contrasts with the fragile human figures in the foreground, adding to the poignancy and magnitude of the depicted event.