The Crucifixion of Saint Andrew 1651

Mattia Preti painted the crucifixion of Saint Andrew in oil on canvas, an example of baroque art from seventeenth-century Italy. The gruesome scene places the viewer in the position of the crowd at the execution, while angels offer Andrew a crown as a reward for his martyrdom. As a sacred image, it served to reinforce established religious doctrine. Preti's career was intertwined with powerful religious institutions, particularly through his work in churches in Naples and Malta. So he would've been well aware that the painting could serve as a political statement during a period of social unrest. The emphasis on suffering and reward reflects the cultural values of the time, specifically the Catholic Church's promotion of obedience and the promise of divine recompense. In order to understand the painting better, historical sources could be used to explore the prevailing religious and political climate in Italy.