The Martyrdom of Saint Agatha; Saint Agnes; Saint Cecilia; Saint Lucy; Saint Catherine

Unknown

about 1300

Tempera colors, gold leaf, and ink, Tempera Colors, Ink

J. Paul Getty Museum

A manuscript page with illuminated text and five small painted scenes in gold frames. The scenes depict figures in narrative vignettes. On this page of the Litany, a series of invocations to favored saints, the first saint appealed to is Saint Agatha: S[an]c[t]a Agatha ora pro nobis (Saint Agatha, pray for us). The pattern is followed for the prayers to Agnes, Cecilia, Lucy, and Catherine of Alexandria. The images of the saints are aligned with the appropriate text on the left. Each saint is identifiable either by an action associated with her or an emblem she holds. For example, on the top right, Saint Agatha, tied to a stake, has her breasts cut off. The elegant, linear quality of the draftsmanship makes even scenes of torture appear elegant.