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, Italian, 1531/32-1571
Title
Saint Apollonia
Date?1560s
MediumOil on panel
Dimensions
18 x 18 cm
Credit LinePurchased, 1864
Object numberNGI.103.2
ProvenancePurchased, Signor Menchetti, Rome, 1864Exhibition HistoryRoyal Academy of Arts, London, Winter 1887

Pontormo and Early Florentine Mannerism, Mostra del Pontormo, Palazzo Strozzi, Florence, 24 March - 15 July 1956
Label TextThis multi-panelled painting is known as a predella. Originally it would have supported an altarpiece painting. The central panel depicts the Virgin mourning Christ, her son, accompanied by Saint John the Evangelist and Mary Magdalene. Saints Lawrence and Apollonia are portrayed on the side panels with their attributes – symbols used to identify saints. The gridiron and tongs were tools used against the saints when they were martyred for their faith.