LODOVICO CARRACCI (BOLOGNA 1555-BOLOGNA 1619)
The Martyrdom of St Ursula
c.1614RCIN 902326
St Ursula was a legendary early Christian princess from Britain, betrothed to a pagan prince. She was allowed to postpone the wedding for three years, and she and ten virgin companions, each with a thousand maidservants, made a pilgrimage to Rome. On their return journey they were slaughtered by the Huns for their faith. Ludovico Carracci painted the Martyrdom of St Ursula three times: this is a study for the last version, executed for Sant’Orsola, Mantua, and now lost.
No. 120