Tomás Giner: Saint Vincent of Saragossa (1462-1466)

(Museo del Prado, Madrid, Spain)

A painting by the artist Spanish Tomás Giner (1458-1480). Saint Vincent of Saragossa (A.D. ...-304) is the the Protomartyr (= the first Christian martyr ) and was commissioned by Bishop Valerius of Saragossa to preach throughout the country. During the persecutions of Christians during the reign of emperor Diocletian both Vincent and the Bishop Valerius were brought before before the Roman governor. As Valerius suffered from a speech impediment, Vincent acted as his spokesman. Altough vincent was offered release from prison if he would consign the Holy Scripture to the fire, Vincent refused claiming that 'they were ready to suffer everything for their faith, and that they could pay no heed either to threats or promises'. The saint died after being tortured and his body was thrown into the sea but was later recovered by the Christians. Saint vincent is the patron saint of Lisbon, Saragossa, Portugal, vine dressers, vinegar makers, vintners, wine growers, wine makers; his feastday is on 22 January. The saint is depicted here as a deacon with the tools of his martyrdom, standing on a moor and with 2 angels at his side and a kneeling donor in the left bottom corner - the latin text on the scroll reads "Saint Vincent, pray for us". Painting from 1462-1466.