Gospel in Art: The First Martyrs of the See of Rome

Nero's Torches, by Henryk Hektor Siemiradzki, 1876 © The National Museum, Kraków

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 30 June 2023
Matthew 8:1-4

After Jesus had come down from the mountain large crowds followed him. A leper now came up and bowed low in front of him. 'Sir,' he said 'if you want to, you can cure me.' Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him and said, 'Of course I want to! Be cured!' And his leprosy was cured at once. Then Jesus said to him, 'Mind you do not tell anyone, but go and show yourself to the priest and make the offering prescribed by Moses, as evidence for them.'

Reflection on the painting

Today we celebrate the First Martyrs of the See of Rome. In July of 64 A.D., more than half of Rome was destroyed by fire. Rumour blamed the tragedy on Nero, who wanted to enlarge his palace. He however shifted the blame by accusing the Christians. As the houses in Rome were largely made up of wooden structures, fire was a frequent occurrence in the city. According to the historian Tacitus, many Christians were put to death "not so much of the crime of firing the city, as of hatred against mankind."

Tacitus (in Annals XV, 44) describes it this way: "Covered with the skins of beasts, they were torn by dogs and perished, or were nailed to crosses, or were doomed to the flames and burnt, to serve as a nightly illumination, when daylight had expired. Nero offered his gardens for the spectacle, and was exhibiting a show in the circus, while he mingled with the people in the dress of a charioteer or stood aloft on a car. Hence, even for criminals who deserved extreme and exemplary punishment, there arose a feeling of compassion; for it was not, as it seemed, for the public good, but to glut one man's cruelty, that they were being destroyed."

Today we remember those very martyrs. The feast is placed directly after yesterday's Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, who are the principal patron saints of Rome. It ties the martyrs directly to the sacrifices Peter and Paul made as part of our early Church history.

Our painting titled 'Nero's Torches' or also sometimes referred to as 'Candlesticks of Christianity', is a graphic painting of Nero's cruelty. It depicts a group of Early Christian martyrs who are about to be burned alive as the alleged perpetrators of the Great Fire of Rome in 64 AD. People from many different social backgrounds, including the emperor himself, are present to watch the torturous burning, which takes place in front of the Domus Aurea, Nero's Golden House. The contrast between the decadent, lavishly dressed, exuberant, partying onlookers on the left of the painting and the innocent Christians on the right makes for uncomfortable viewing. Of note also is that the signs attached to the feet of the condemned list their alleged crimes.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-8-1-4-2023/