santi giovanni evangelista e stefano
Historical Context
Borghese di Piero Borghese's Saints John the Evangelist and Stephen, painted around 1450 and now in the Petit Palais in Avignon, depicts two of the most important martyrs in the Christian tradition: John the Evangelist, the beloved disciple associated with the Fourth Gospel and the Book of Revelation, paired with Stephen, the first Christian martyr stoned to death shortly after the Crucifixion. Both figures were frequently depicted together in altarpiece programs because of their complementary significance — the disciple who did not die as a martyr alongside the first who did, representing different paths of Christian witness.
Technical Analysis
Tempera on panel. The two saints stand in presentation poses with their identifying attributes — John the Evangelist with eagle or chalice, Stephen with the stones of his martyrdom and deacon's dalmatic.
See It In Person
More by Borghese di Piero Borghese
_-_Saints_Accused_of_Embracing_Christianity_(from_'The_Story_of_Saints_Julitta_and_Quiricus')_(triptych%2C_left_wing)_-_P.1966.GP.264.1_-_Courtauld_Gallery.jpg&width=600)
Saints Accused of Embracing Christianity (from 'The Story of Saints Julitta and Quiricus') (triptych, left wing)
Borghese di Piero Borghese·1430
_-_Saint_Quiricus_Slaps_the_Judge_(from_'The_Story_of_Saints_Julitta_and_Quiricus')_(triptych%2C_centre_panel)_-_P.1966.GP.264.2_-_Courtauld_Gallery.jpg&width=600)
Saint Quiricus Slaps the Judge (from 'The Story of Saints Julitta and Quiricus') (triptych, centre panel)
Borghese di Piero Borghese·1430
Crucifixion
Borghese di Piero Borghese·1430
_-_Martyrdom_of_the_Saints_(from_'The_Story_of_Saints_Julitta_and_Quiricus')_(triptych%2C_right_wing)_-_P.1966.GP.264.3_-_Courtauld_Gallery.jpg&width=600)
Martyrdom of the Saints (from 'The Story of Saints Julitta and Quiricus') (triptych, right wing)
Borghese di Piero Borghese·1430
