Hl. Ladislaus, König von Ungarrn

Simone Martini painted this image of Saint Ladislaus, the warrior-king of Hungary canonized in 1192, around 1326 as part of his work for the Angevin dynasty who ruled both Hungary and Naples. The Angevins actively promoted the cult of their royal Hungarian saint, and Simone's commission reflects the political dimensions of Gothic religious art. This work demonstrates how Sienese painting served the propaganda needs of Europe's most powerful courts.

Egg tempera on gold-ground panel with richly tooled decorative elements. Simone renders the royal saint with characteristic courtly elegance, combining heraldic precision in the regalia with the flowing linear rhythms and jewel-toned palette that define his mature Gothic style.