Saint Eulalia 1885

Date: 1885
Medium: Oil on canvas
Size: 74 x 46 in
Location: Tate Britain, London, UK

“Saint Eulalia” is a painting by John William Waterhouse that depicts a shrine dedicated to the Virgin Mary. This painting is considered one of the finest works of religious art of the nineteenth century. The geometry of the painting is stunning. A series of parallel rectangles forms the front of the picture, with a strong cross shape extending from the top. A horizontal plane is the background, on which the figure of St. Eulalia rests. The space is divided into many smaller shapes, resulting in an interesting patchwork of geometry.

The painting is currently displayed at the Tate Britain. It is one of the most popular works of art in the Tate Britain collection. You can find more information about Saint Eulalia at Tate Britain.

It is the only known painting of the saint, and it has become one of the most popular works of art in the country. It is considered one of the best Pre-Raphaelite paintings.

St. Eulalia of Merida

During the Middle Ages, the story of Saint Eulalia of Merida has been popularized in various forms and genres. For example, the story of the martyrdom of this young girl has been portrayed in paintings by artists such as Bernat Martorell, a Catalan artist who died in 1442. Waterhouse, a Victorian Romantic painter, also painted the story, but his most famous work is “The Martyrdom of Saint Eulalia of Merida”. Although this depiction of her life sparked controversy when it was first exhibited, it is considered one of the greatest works by the artist.

Saint Eulalia of Merida was a martyr who lived in Spain. The Romans tried to bury her body, but she refused. In 304AD, she was put to death. The poet Prudentius recounts the tragic death, but the dove that symbolised her soul ascended to heaven. The Roman guard who was guarding her body stood nearby. The painting is a striking depiction of the history of martyrdom and a compelling example of British art.

St. Eulalia's shrine in Visigothic Spain

There are many legends surrounding the life and death of Saint Eulalia, one of the most important Catholic martyrs of the Middle Ages. Although her name means “well spoken,” the true story is quite different. Eulalia was a child prodigy and was educated by a holy priest in Merida. She was devoted to the Lord and lived a trouble-free childhood, spending her evenings in prayer and the rest of her time doing what she enjoyed.

The image features a beautiful geometry. The columns create a series of rectangles and a cross in the center. The roof line ends with a vertical, which draws the eye back to the martyred figure. Waterhouse's painting resembles the style of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, which included Dante Gabriel Rossetti, John Everett Millais, and William Holman Hunt. Despite being an outsider in the British art scene, Waterhouse's work is rooted in that movement.

St. Eulalia's wooden cross

Painting Saint Eulalia by John William Waterhouse, depicts the aftermath of St. Eulalia of Merida's death. The snow acts as a shroud for the body of the young saint, and a white dove, representing her soul, flies above in the background. Waterhouse took great artistic licence in depicting the scene, but St. Eulalia is depicted as a fully-grown young woman, and the snow is not intended to cover a half-naked, unmutilated body.

The image of Eulalia's naked body is very seductive, and her flowing hair and exposed breasts give her a seductive appearance. The wooden cross that encircles her wrist is reminiscent of the crucifixion, but it does not look like one. Waterhouse included sixteen doves in the painting to suggest the crucifixion. Waterhouse used a medieval legend to create the picture, and Waterhouse incorporated that legend into his painting.

St. Eulalia's unharmed body

The painting of Saint Eulalia's unharmed corpse was created by John William Waterhouse in 1885 after the martyrdom of Saint Eulalia of Merida. Unlike most Christian paintings, this one shows the body as unharmed, and her flowing hair and exposed breasts give her a seductive appearance. The wooden cross on the ground beneath her is suggestive of a crucifixion, and there is also a rope around her wrist.

While the nudity of this painting could have exposed the artist to criticism, his careful handling of the subject matter prevented this from happening. Despite the subject matter, Waterhouse managed to avoid controversy and have a work that is as beautiful as the original. A spear held by a Roman guard points at the ropes that bound the girl to a stake. It is an incredible work of art, and Waterhouse's work is a testament to the artist's skills and the devotion to his faith.

John_William_Waterhouse_-_Saint_Eulalia_-_1885