Saint Quiricus slaps the Judge (centre panel)
- Artist: Borghese di Piero
- Date: (circa) 1430
- Medium: tempera and goldleaf on panel
- Museum: The Courtauld Gallery
- Collection record: The Courtauld Gallery website
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About this artwork
This is the "Saint Quiricus slaps the Judge (centre panel)" painted by Borghese di Piero around 1430. It’s a tempera and goldleaf on panel that captures a dramatic moment from the martyrdom of early Christian saints Julitta and her three‑year‑old son Quiricus. In the scene, the child, defiantly scratching the Roman governor’s face, is hurled to the floor, a bold visual testament to faith and resistance. The work sits in the centre of a predella triptych that once completed a large altarpiece dedicated to Saint Quiricus. The Courtauld Gallery owns the other two panels: one shows Julitta and her son accused of practising Christianity, and the third portrays Julitta’s own martyrdom. Together they weave a narrative of conviction, sacrifice, and the harsh reality of persecution. The use of gold leaf adds a luminous quality that draws the eye to the stark gesture of the child, while the tempera brings a subtle depth to the figures’ expressions. This panel offers a rare glimpse into a story that rarely appears on canvas, making it a compelling focal point for anyone interested in early Christian iconography and 15th‑century panel painting.
See it in person
Saint Quiricus slaps the Judge (centre panel) hangs in The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House, London. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
