Saint Margaret of Antioch (Zurbarán) facts for kids
Saint Margaret of Antioch is a famous painting created in 1631 by a Spanish artist named Francisco de Zurbarán. You can find this artwork at the National Gallery in London, England, which bought it in 1903.
Quick facts for kids Saint Margaret of Antioch |
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| Artist | Francisco de Zurbarán  |
| Year | 1631 |
| Medium | Oil on canvas |
| Dimensions | 194 cm (76 in) × 112 cm (44 in) |
| Location | National Gallery |
| Accession No. | NG1930 |
| Identifiers | Art UK artwork ID: saint-margaret-of-antioch-115203 |
Contents
Discovering Saint Margaret of Antioch
This painting shows Margaret of Antioch, a Christian saint. She is often shown with a dragon because of a famous story about her. In the story, she faced a dragon and bravely escaped from it.
What Does the Painting Show?
In this artwork, Zurbarán painted Saint Margaret as a shepherdess. She holds a shepherd's crook, which is a long stick with a hook. This detail reminds us of the legend that she used to look after her nurse's sheep.
Behind her, you can see the dragon from the story. It looks defeated, showing Margaret's victory. Some art experts believe that the same person modeled for Saint Margaret in this painting and for another of Zurbarán's works, Saint Agatha. They think the faces look very similar.
Who Was Francisco de Zurbarán?
Francisco de Zurbarán (1598–1664) was a very important Spanish painter. He lived during a time known as the Spanish Golden Age. He was famous for his religious paintings, especially those showing saints, monks, and nuns. His style often used strong contrasts between light and shadow, which made his figures look very real and dramatic.
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