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DATE: July 17, 2013 MEDIA CONTACT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Alexandria Sivak Getty Communications (310) 440-6473 asivak@getty.edu

STORIES OF SUFFERING AND SALVATION: GETTY EXPLORES SAINTS IN THE MIDDLE AGES

Miracles and Martyrs: Saints in the Middle Ages

September 3, 2013–March 2, 2014

At the J. Paul Getty Museum, Getty Center          

LOS ANGELES—Venerated for their

willingness to suffer torture and death, their

ability to perform miracles, and their

privileged place in heaven, saints were vital to

medieval Christianity. These holy men and

women attempted to follow Christ’s example

of piety and endurance in the face of

persecution, and served as models of behavior

and goodness.

Featuring objects from the Getty

Museum’s renowned manuscripts collection,

Miracles and Martyrs: Saints in the Middle

Ages, on view September 3, 2013–March 2,

2014 at the Getty Center, includes works that

present the remarkable and astonishing stories

associated with saints. Inspired by images of

both great beauty and incredible horror,

faithful Christians were eager to celebrate

those who were thought to provide comfort in

times of need and to reveal the presence of

the divine in the earthly realm. -more-

The Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian (detail), about 1466–1470. Master of Jacques of Luxembourg (French, active about 1460–1470). Tempera colors, gold leaf, silver leaf, and ink on parchment. The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, Ms. Ludwig IX 11, fol. 126.

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"Devotion to the saints was an integral

aspect of medieval Christianity," explains

Timothy Potts, director of the J. Paul Getty

Museum. "This exhibition highlights a variety

of types of books from the Museum’s rich

manuscripts collection, including private

prayer books, devotional tracts, and

biographies that relate to the worship of

saints, illustrating through these beautiful

images the widespread appeal and influence

the cult of saints had in art and society during

the period."

One of the most popular stories about

a saint is illustrated in Saint Jerome Extracting

a Thorn from a Lion’s Paw (early 15th century)

by the Master of the Murano Gradual. The

compassionate Saint Jerome (about 345–420)

uses golden tweezers to carefully remove a

thorn from the paw of a lion that wandered into his monastery seeking care for its wound. A

fearful monk in the background, cowering and holding a jar of ointment and a bandage, serves

as a contrast to the monumental figure of Saint Jerome, whose voluminous robe occupies

much of the image. As he tends to the lion’s injury, the remarkably calm animal looks out

boldly at the viewer. Understood to be sent by God, the lion became Saint Jerome’s faithful

companion and an honorary member of the monastic community.

Miraculous Interventions

It was believed that during their lives, saints experienced spectacular visions,

performed miracles on behalf of the faithful, and were blessed by divine intervention in their

lives. The extraordinary feats they performed and the heavenly revelations they witnessed

helped to confirm the power of sainthood. Death was not a barrier to these holy men and

women. In fact, after passing, saints were thought to intercede and protect devotees from

harm and offer aid in difficult situations. Artists depicted these miracles in stunning images

that made the mystical legends surrounding saints come to life for medieval readers.

Saint Jerome Extracting a Thorn from a Lion's Paw, second quarter of 15th century. Master of the Murano Gradual (Italian, active about 1430–1460). Tempera and gold leaf on parchment. The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, Ms. 106, recto.

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One example of this kind of imagery can be found in a 1469 illumination of Saint

Catherine by Taddeo Crivelli. With her right hand, Saint Catherine keeps her place in a book,

while her left gently touches a spiked wheel. The scene highlights two of the best known

aspects of this fourth-century saint’s life story: the book before her symbolizes the great

intelligence and learning that allowed her to confound pagan philosophers, and the wheel

references God’s miraculous destruction of the tortuous instrument with which she was

threatened before her martyrdom.

Divine Sacrifice

Martyrs were greatly admired for

braving intense persecution and their

willingness to die for their faith. They refused

to abandon their beliefs despite being

threatened with such horrific violence as

beheading or being slain with multiple arrows.

In some instances, artists produced arresting

scenes of martyrs at the moment of suffering.

In others, the saints hold the instruments of

their torture, serene in the knowledge that

salvation awaits. These weapons, or

sometimes other symbols associated with

their legends, became the saints’ standard

visual attributes, allowing viewers to easily

identify figures. Most martyrs died in the first

few centuries after Christ’s life, yet written

accounts of their torments inspired striking

visual responses well into the Middle Ages

and beyond.

In a second illustration by Taddeo Crivelli, Saint Peter Martyr seems remarkably

unperturbed by the great axe embedded in his head and the knife sticking out of his chest.

The thirteenth-century saint was assassinated by those threatened by his remarkable ability to

convert heretics.

“According to legend, Peter continued to pray even after the attack left him missing

part of his skull,” explains Elizabeth Morrison, senior curator of manuscripts at the J. Paul

Saint Peter Martyr (detail), about 1469. Taddeo Crivelli (Italian, active about 1451–1479). Tempera colors, gold paint, gold leaf, and ink on parchment. The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, Ms. Ludwig IX 13, fol. 192v.

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Getty Museum. “Despite this horrific injury, he is still seen in concentrated prayer, further

reinforcing the steadfastness of his piety.”

Peter Martyr was a beloved Italian saint, famous for his ability to intercede with Christ

on behalf of those who prayed for his favor. He and other popular local saints were often

featured in private prayer books such as the one in the exhibition, where the images would

inspire readers in their prayers for aid, comfort, and redemption.

Piety and Practice

Fervent devotion, extreme humility, and selfless charity were characteristics of saints

admired and imitated by medieval Christians. Particular saints were often chosen as special

guardians by individuals, groups, and even specific professions. The faithful prayed to these

“patron” saints because they were thought to represent certain traits shared with or desired by

the devotee.

In Saint Luke Painting an Image of the Virgin (about 1440–1450) by the workshop of

the Bedford Master, Saint Luke leans over a desk, adding the finishing touches to a portrait of

the Virgin Mary dressed in blue set against a pure gold background. According to legend, the

first-century saint painted Mary from life more than once, creating a series of miraculous

icons. Due to the fame of these portraits, in the Middle Ages most artist guilds were called the

Guild of Saint Luke, and he still serves as the patron saint of artists today. In private prayer

books, such as the one on view in the exhibition, the saint is often pictured diligently set at his

task so that patrons could make a connection between his efforts to faithfully capture the

features of the Virgin and the beautiful craftsmanship of the inspiring artwork before them.

Miracles and Martyrs: Saints in the Middle Ages, is on view September 3, 2013–

March 2, 2014 and is co-curated by Elizabeth Morrison, senior curator of manuscripts at the J.

Paul Getty Museum, and Melanie Sympson, former intern in the Department of Manuscripts.

Because these materials are light sensitive, this exhibition is presented at low light levels and

in two different installations (September 3–December 2, 2013, and December 4, 2013–March 2,

2014). The exhibition runs concurrently with Canterbury and St. Albans: Treasures from

Church and Cloister, on view September 20, 2013–February 2, 2014, an exhibition showcasing

twelfth-century stained glass from Canterbury Cathedral and an extraordinary manuscript

made in the same period at St. Albans Abbey, and featuring a section focused on the holy

individuals associated with each of these two English institutions: Saint Thomas Becket of

Canterbury and Christina of Markyate at St. Albans.

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The J. Paul Getty Trust is an international cultural and philanthropic institution devoted to the visual arts that includes the J. Paul Getty Museum, the Getty Research Institute, the Getty Conservation Institute, and the Getty Foundation. The J. Paul Getty Trust and Getty programs serve a varied audience from two locations: the Getty Center in Los Angeles and the Getty Villa in Malibu. The J. Paul Getty Museum collects in seven distinct areas, including Greek and Roman antiquities, European paintings, drawings, manuscripts, sculpture and decorative arts, and photographs gathered internationally. The Museum's mission is to make the collection meaningful and attractive to a broad audience by presenting and interpreting the works of art through educational programs, special exhibitions, publications, conservation, and research. Visiting the Getty Center The Getty Center is open Tuesday through Friday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. It is closed Monday and major holidays. Admission to the Getty Center is always free. Parking is $15 per car, but reduced to $10 after 5 p.m. on Saturdays and for evening events throughout the week. No reservation is required for parking or general admission. Reservations are required for event seating and groups of 15 or more. Please call (310) 440-7300 (English or Spanish) for reservations and information. The TTY line for callers who are deaf or hearing impaired is (310) 440-7305. The Getty Center is at 1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles, California. Same day parking at both Museum locations (Getty Center and Getty Villa) is available for $15 through the Getty's Pay Once, Park Twice program. Additional information is available at www.getty.edu. Sign up for e-Getty at www.getty.edu/subscribe to receive free monthly highlights of events at the Getty Center and the Getty Villa via e-mail, or visit www.getty.edu for a complete calendar of public programs.