Jheronimus Bosch: Triptych of the crucified Martyr (1495-1505)

(Gallerie dell'Accademia, Venice, Italy)

A painting by the Dutch artist Jheronimus Bosch (1450-1516). This triptych depicts a crucified christian martyr who, thanks to a recent restoration in 2013-15, has been positively identified as the fictitious saint Wilgefortis of Portugal. According to the legend she was one of nine daughters of a pagan Portuguese King. When her father wanted her to marry the King of Sicily, despite her vow of virginity, she prayed to God for help in resisting the marriage, whereupon she grew a beard and mustache and the suit was withdrawn. Her father was so furious he had her crucified but with ropes instead of nails. On the right side of the cross is a man who has fainted. this is probably the intended husband who. Seeing the crucified Wilgefortis he fainted and repented (he falls from left/ dark to right/ good). The two side panels show two men (right) and saint Anthony of Padua. X-rays have showed that originally on each side panel was a donor, looking from the clothes probably Italian. Both side panels were painted over in Bosch his time for unknown reasons. Painting from 1495-1505.