Saint Elizabeth of Portugal (Zurbarán) facts for kids
Saint Elizabeth of Portugal is a famous painting created by the Spanish artist Francisco de Zurbarán between 1630 and 1635. It shows Queen Saint Elizabeth of Portugal, who was known for being very kind and generous. The painting captures a special story about her, often called the "miracle of the roses." Today, you can see this beautiful artwork at the Prado Museum in Madrid, Spain.
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About the Painting
This painting is a masterpiece by Francisco de Zurbarán, a well-known Spanish painter from the 1600s. He was famous for his religious paintings and for using strong contrasts between light and shadow. The painting shows Queen Elizabeth of Portugal, who lived a long time ago.
Zurbarán painted this artwork between 1630 and 1635. It's a large painting that helps us imagine what Queen Elizabeth might have looked like and how she was seen by people.
Who Was Saint Elizabeth of Portugal?
Queen Elizabeth of Portugal was born in 1271 in Aragon, which is now part of Spain. Her father was Peter III of Aragon, a king. She married King Denis of Portugal when she was just a teenager.
Elizabeth was known for her deep faith and her kindness. She spent much of her life helping people who were poor, sick, or in need. She often gave away food, money, and clothes to those less fortunate. Because of her good deeds, she was later recognized as a saint.
The Miracle of the Roses
The painting shows a famous story about Queen Elizabeth, called the "miracle of the roses." The legend says that Queen Elizabeth often secretly carried bread or money in her cloak to give to the poor. Her husband, King Denis, sometimes worried about her giving away too much or suspected her of doing things he didn't approve of.
One day, as she was leaving the castle to help the poor, King Denis saw her. He asked her what she was hiding in her cloak. Even though she was carrying bread, Elizabeth didn't want to get into trouble or reveal her secret acts of charity. She replied that she was carrying roses. When she opened her cloak, the bread she was hiding had miraculously turned into beautiful roses! This story shows her strong faith and her dedication to helping others.
Where to See the Painting
Since 1818, the painting Saint Elizabeth of Portugal has been kept at the Prado Museum in Madrid, Spain. The Prado Museum is one of the most famous art museums in the world. It has a huge collection of European art, especially Spanish art. Many people visit the museum every year to see this painting and many other incredible artworks.
See also
In Spanish: Santa Isabel de Portugal (Zurbarán) para niños
