Person who suffers persecution and death for advocating, refusing to renounce, and/or refusing to advocate a belief or cause, usually a religious one

concept

The Virgin Mary and the Christ child, with Saint Augustine, Saint George, Saint John the Baptist, Saint Stephen and an angel with a lily. Drawing by F. Rosaspina, c. 1830, after F. Francia.

Saint Peter is crucified upside down. Engraving by C. Tinti, 1784, after G. Reni.

Saint John the Evangelist watches an angel giving robes to martyrs. Woodcut.

Christ appears in the skies on the day of judgement. Engraving by J. Cole after M. Rota after Michelangelo.

Saint Sebastian with the infant Saint John the Baptist, Saint Francis, Saint Antony of Padua or Saint Bernardino and Saint George. Drawing by F. Rosaspina, c. 1830, after G. Francia.

The mystic marriage of Catherine of Alexandria and the infant Christ. Etching by C. Bouzonnet Stella after F. Lauri.

The Virgin with four saints: the archangel Michael, Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Saint Apollonia and Saint John the Evangelist. Drawing by F. Rosaspina, c. 1830, after P. Vannucci, il Perugino.

The Virgin Mary and Christ child with Saint Antony of Padua, Saint Catherine of Alexandria and Saint John the Baptist as a child. Drawing by F. Rosaspina, c. 1830, after G. Bugiardini.

The coronation of the Virgin with four saints: Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Saint John the Evangelist, Saint John the Baptist and Saint Benedict or Saint Romuald. Drawing by F. Rosaspina, c. 1830, after G. Reni.

M0014475: Martyrdom of Saint Agatha

The martyrdom of Saint Agnes: she is stabbed, and an angel receives the martyr's palm from Christ for bestowal upon her. Drawing by F. Rosaspina, c. 1830, after D. Zampieri, il Domenichino.

Coat of arms of the crusader Melchior Asinari. Engraving.

M0009933: Martyrdom of Saint Agatha, 16th century

Theatre des martyrs = Schau-Buhne der Martyrer : depuis la mort de J. Christ jusqu'à present, représenté en tres belles tailles-douces / par le celebre graveur Jean Luyken. Schau-Buhne der Martyrer, gezeichnet und in Kuppfer gestochen von Johann Luyken.

Saint Andrew holding his cross with another saint seated on a cloud behind him. Etching by G. Bonasone after Michelangelo, 1541.

Galleries and Reading Room

Library

Shop

Café

We're experiencing some technical problems in the library today. 

If you’re visiting us, you won’t be able to print or use our PCs or laptops. If you want to sign-up for a free library membership, we’ll give you a temporary card for today and complete your membership next time you visit.

You can access items from the collection as usual and our team is on hand to help. Thank you for your patience while we resolve these issues. 

We're running paid user research studies to improve Wellcome Collection online

Take part in research

Martyrs

Images from the collections

Images referencing Martyrs

Works from the collections

M0009933: Martyrdom of Saint Agatha, 16th century

Coat of arms of the crusader Melchior Asinari. Engraving.

Theatre des martyrs = Schau-Buhne der Martyrer : depuis la mort de J. Christ jusqu'à present, représenté en tres belles tailles-douces / par le celebre graveur Jean Luyken. Schau-Buhne der Martyrer, gezeichnet und in Kuppfer gestochen von Johann Luyken.

Saint Andrew holding his cross with another saint seated on a cloud behind him. Etching by G. Bonasone after Michelangelo, 1541.

Saint John the Evangelist watches an angel giving robes to martyrs. Woodcut.

Martyrs

Images from the collections

Images referencing Martyrs

Works from the collections

M0009933: Martyrdom of Saint Agatha, 16th century

Coat of arms of the crusader Melchior Asinari. Engraving.

Theatre des martyrs = Schau-Buhne der Martyrer : depuis la mort de J. Christ jusqu'à present, représenté en tres belles tailles-douces / par le celebre graveur Jean Luyken. Schau-Buhne der Martyrer, gezeichnet und in Kuppfer gestochen von Johann Luyken.

Saint Andrew holding his cross with another saint seated on a cloud behind him. Etching by G. Bonasone after Michelangelo, 1541.

Saint John the Evangelist watches an angel giving robes to martyrs. Woodcut.

Related topics