St Lawrence Giving the Wealth to the Poor 1575

Palma il Giovane painted Saint Lawrence Giving the Wealth to the Poor in Venice in the late 16th or early 17th century. It depicts Saint Lawrence, a Christian martyr, distributing the Church's wealth to the poor. The image is a potent commentary on social inequality in the artist's time. Venice was a wealthy city, but that wealth was not evenly distributed. The artist uses visual codes to create meaning. Lawrence is dressed in a luxurious dalmatic, surrounded by beggars. The opulence of the Church is juxtaposed with the poverty of the people. The inclusion of the armour alludes to the militaristic values of the Venetian state, and contrasts with the Christian values of charity and compassion. To understand this artwork better, we might consider the social history of Venice, the role of the Catholic Church, and the biographies of its artists. By looking at this painting in its social and institutional context, we can begin to understand its power and complexity.