Young martyr, lamb and purity · Saint Agnes

Correggio, Ribera, Gaulli and Titian show Agnes as a young martyr, protected prisoner, saint in glory and companion of the Virgin.

Saint Agnes is a young Roman martyr whose tradition places her death at the beginning of the 4th century. Her name is compared to the Latin agnus, the lamb, which becomes her most popular attribute and expresses innocence as sacrifice. Stories say that she refused an imposed marriage in order to remain faithful to her consecration. Exposed then imprisoned, she would have been miraculously protected by her hair and by a celestial light. Jusepe de Ribera transforms the prison into a scene of vulnerability and divine protection. Correggio transforms the prison into a scene of vulnerability and divine protection. Correggio transforms the prison into a scene of vulnerability and divine protection. Correggio transforms the prison into a scene of vulnerability and divine protection. Correggio transforms the prison into a scene of vulnerability and divine protection. Correggio transforms the prison into a scene of vulnerability and divine protection. Correggio transforms the prison into a scene of vulnerability and divine protection. Correggio transforms the prison into a scene of vulnerability and divine protection. Correggio transforms the prison into a scene of vulnerability and divine protection. Correggio transforms the prison into a scene of vulnerability and divine protection. Correggio transforms the prison into a scene of vulnerability and divine protection. Correggio transforms the prison into a scene in a warm sacred conversation. Gaulli elevates the young martyr in a baroque glory of clouds and light. The "Saint Agnes" selection notably compares Saint Agnes - Antonio da Correggio and Saint Agnes in prison - Jusepe de Ribera. His reading favors movement.

The lamb makes the name visible: gentleness, innocence and sacrifice come together in one companion.