Franciscan Martyrs

Bernardino Licinio's Franciscan Martyrs presents the missionaries killed for their faith in the tradition of hagiographic altarpiece painting that continued to be produced throughout the Counter-Reformation period. Franciscan missionary activity in Morocco and elsewhere produced martyr saints whose commemoration strengthened the order's devotional identity. Licinio's treatment, combining Venetian figure style with the intense spiritual commitment expected of martyrdom imagery, creates an altarpiece suitable for Franciscan church or convent use, where the martyrs would serve as models of ultimate faith commitment for the religious community.

The work reflects Licinio's competent Venetian workshop manner, with rich coloring and solid figural modeling suited to the prominent ecclesiastical setting of the Frari.