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Saint Eulalia

Image credit: Tate

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Notes

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Waterhouse exhibited this picture at the Royal Academy in 1885 with the following note: 'Prudentius says that the body of St Eulalia was shrouded "by the miraculous fall of snow when lying in the forum after her martyrdom."' Saint Eulalia was martyred in 304AD for refusing to make sacrifices to the Roman gods. The method of her death was particularly gruesome: two executioners tore her body with iron hooks, then lighted torches were applied to her breasts and sides until finally, as the fire caught her hair, she was suffocated. Given the horrific circumstances of her death, and Eulalia's tender age (she is said to have been twelve years old), Waterhouse demonstrates little concern for realism. The setting for the picture is supposed to be Merida in Spain, which was then under the rule of the Roman Emperor Diocletian, but has been transferred to the Forum in Rome. Eulalia's body appears totally unharmed, her exposed breasts and flowing hair giving her a seductive rather than pathetic appearance. Although there is snow falling and lying on the ground, her body is uncovered. As an explanation for these alterations to the legend, the artist includes a wooden cross on the right of the composition, implying that the martyrdom was by crucifixion.

Tate Britain

London

Title

Saint Eulalia

Date

exhibited 1885

Medium

Oil on canvas

Measurements

H 188.6 x W 117.5 cm

Accession number

N01542

Acquisition method

Presented by Sir Henry Tate 1894

Work type

Painting

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Tate Britain

Millbank, London, Greater London SW1P 4RG England

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