Gospel in Art: Feast of Saint Lucy Virgin and Martyr

Saint Lucy, by Francesco del Cossa, 1473/1474 © National Gallery of Art, Washington

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 13 December 2024
Matthew 11:16-19

At that time: Jesus said to the crowd: 'To what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market-places and calling to their playmates,

"We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn."

'For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, "He has a demon." The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, "Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!" Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.'

Reflection on the painting

Today we celebrate Saint Lucy. She was martyred in Syracuse, during the Diocletian persecutions, which started in 303 AD. Legend has it that Lucy, determined to dedicate her life to Christ, plucked out her own eyes and sent them to a tenacious suitor after he insisted that the beauty of Lucy's eyes allowed him no peace. Astounded by her devotion to her faith, the admirer converted to Christianity, and Lucy, the legend continues, later found her eyesight miraculously restored one day during prayer. It is possible that the young saint's connection with eyes originated in the Latin source for her name, Lux or "light," which is inextricably linked with vision.

Lucy died a martyr for her faith. The Roman persecutors attempted to burn her at the stake, preparing a large fire to consume her. However, when the fire was lit, the flames seemed to recoil, refusing to touch her body. The fire avoided her flesh entirely, as though recognising her sanctity. Emerging unscathed, Lucy spoke about her Christian faith, attributing her survival to her devotion to God. In the same speech, she also prophesied that the persecution of Christians would soon come to an end. Her words proved prophetic; less than a decade later, Emperor Constantine issued the Edict of Milan, granting Christians the freedom to worship throughout the Roman Empire. Lucy's defiance and unwavering faith angered her persecutors, who felt humiliated by her survival. Enraged, a young soldier was ordered to execute her. He carried out the command by cutting her throat, and Lucy died a martyr on 13th December 304 AD.

Our painting by Francesco del Cossa depicts Saint Lucy, in a very serene pose. The arched painting shows her from the knees up, standing behind a grey ledge. She has pale, peach-toned skin and holds a palm (symbol of martyrdom) in one hand and a pair of disembodied eyes, attached to a stem-like a flower, in the other. Against a gold background, her body faces forward, but her head is turned to her left, glancing downward at the eyes she holds. Not how the leaves of the palm are very blade-like, referring to her death by sword.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-11-16-19-2024/