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Saint Expeditus's name has given rise to his cult as a saint capable to expedite and achieve any secular end, especially success in trade, in examinations, and in lawsuits. Though much favoured in popular religion, his name was struck off the list of martyrs by Pius XI in 1905, and his image was banned from churches, without success. The canvas is divided by black line-borders into 10 scenes. The central compartment shows Saint Expeditus, full-length, dressed as a Roman legionary. Under his right foot he tramples a crow in whose beak is a banderolle inscribed 'CRAS' (tomorrow). In his right hand he holds a cross inscribed 'HODIE' (today). In his left hand he holds a martyr's palm. In the background, two churches. Below, lettering 'S. E [erased] SPEDITO MARTIRE'.
Of the four scenes on the sides, the upper left one shows a sick room, with a patient in bed, very ill, three bystanders making gestures of despair, and a statue of Saint Expeditus in a wall shrine. The upper right one shows a sick room with a patient in bed, a physician taking the patient's pulse, four bystanders in prayer, and a wall shrine bearing a figure of Saint Expeditus.
The lower left scene shows a steamship in a storm at sea, with passengers praying to the saint shown as a figure in the sky. The lower right scene shows the steamship in harbour and, on the dockside, a statue of Saint Expeditus being carried in procession, escorted by a band and a cheering crowd.
Of the three scenes along the bottom, the left one appears to show the printing of votive prints of Saint Expeditus on two presses by young inmates of a religious institution under the eyes of two priests. The middle scene shows a man in a brown and purple striped uniform (of prison?) praying in a chapel of Saint Expeditus. The right scene shows a street outside a prison window, where a woman and two other people hold up a coloured picture of Saint Expeditus to show it to a man imprisoned behind bars.
This picture is apparently painted directly on to the canvas without a ground. The canvas is nailed at top and bottom to wooden rollers. Each roller is fitted with a metal clasp. The top roller is equipped with a loop of cord for suspension.
Title
Saint Expeditus
Date
19th C
Medium
oil on canvas
Measurements
H 183 x W 133 cm (E)
Accession number
47484i
Acquisition method
purchased by Henry S. Wellcome, c.1900–1936
Work type
Painting
