Saint Praxedis
Johannes Vermeer·1655
Historical Context
Saint Praxedis, dated 1655 and attributed to Vermeer though the attribution remains contested, depicts the early Christian saint squeezing the blood of a martyr into a vessel. If by Vermeer, it represents his earliest known work, painted before he developed his signature style of light-filled domestic interiors. The painting is copied from a composition by the Florentine painter Felice Ficherelli, suggesting the young Vermeer's engagement with Italian Baroque art.
Technical Analysis
The painting's technique differs markedly from Vermeer's mature works, with a darker palette and more conventional Baroque handling. The attribution debate centers on the quality of the figure painting and certain passages that show a sensitivity to light characteristic of Vermeer's later development.
