ARTWORKS

Saints Genevieve and Apollonia

Lucas Cranach the elder (1472–1553)

The National Gallery, London

Saints Genevieve and Apollonia

Image credit: The National Gallery, London

How you can use this image

This image can be used for non-commercial research or private study purposes, and other UK exceptions to copyright permitted to users based in the United Kingdom under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised. Any other type of use will need to be cleared with the rights holder(s).

Review the copyright credit lines that are located underneath the image, as these indicate who manages the copyright (©) within the artwork, and the photographic rights within the image.

The collection that owns the artwork may have more information on their own website about permitted uses and image licensing options.

Review our guidance pages which explain how you can reuse images, how to credit an image and how to find images in the public domain or with a Creative Commons licence available.

Buy a print or image licence

You can purchase this reproduction

If you have any products in your basket we recommend that you complete your purchase from Art UK before you leave our site to avoid losing your purchases.

Order a print

Notes

Add or edit a note on this artwork that only you can see. You can find notes again by going to the ‘Notes’ section of your account.

Saint Genevieve, born in the fifth century, is the patron saint of Paris. She was a nun, and helped protect the city from attack from the Huns and the Franks. Here, she holds the candle that miraculously relit after the devil blew it out while she was praying alone one night.Saint Apollonia was a virgin martyr who lived in the second century. She was tortured during an uprising in Alexandria: her teeth were pulled out and she was told she would be burnt to death unless she renounced her Christian faith. She refused, and threw herself into the flames. Considered the patron saint of dentists and dental problems, she is often depicted with the pair of pliers used to extract her teeth.This painting was originally part of a multi-panelled altarpiece (‘The Saint Catherine Altarpiece’ in Dresden) made by Cranach in 1506, shortly after he was appointed court painter to the Elector of Saxony, Friedrich the Wise.

The National Gallery, London

London

Read more on The National Gallery, London
Title

Saints Genevieve and Apollonia

Date

1506

Medium

Oil on limewood(?)

Measurements

H 120.5 x W 63 cm

Accession number

NG6511.1

Acquisition method

Bought, 1987

Work type

Painting

Tags

See a tag that’s incorrect or offensive? Challenge it and notify Art UK.

Help improve Art UK. Tag artworks and verify existing tags by joining the Tagger community.

Learn more Tag this
Normally on display at

The National Gallery, London

Trafalgar Square, London, Greater London WC2N 5DN England

View venue

Artist or maker

Lucas Cranach the elder

1472–1553

View profile
  • Judith with the Head of Holofernes
    Judith with the Head of Holofernes The Burrell Collection
  • Venus and Cupid
    Venus and Cupid The National Gallery, London
  • Frederick III, Elector of Saxony
    Frederick III, Elector of Saxony Brighton and Hove Museums and Art Galleries
  • Adam and Eve
    Adam and Eve The Courtauld Gallery
  • Hercules and Antaeus
    Hercules and Antaeus Compton Verney
  • Portrait of an Unknown Lady
    Portrait of an Unknown Lady National Trust, Waddesdon Manor
  • Sigmund Kingsfelt
    Sigmund Kingsfelt Compton Verney
  • 28 more