Saint Daniel of Padua Nailed between Two Planks of Wood

Francesco Bertos

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Counter Reformation in Italy saw an increase in the literal depiction of the martyrdom of saints. Here, the appalling spectacles of Saint Daniel being dragged by a horse and then nailed between a table of wood and one of stone are presented with the full repertory of classical and Renaissance poses and gestures, richly varied. These reliefs formerly ornamented the altar of the saint in the Cathedral of Padua.

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The fifty thousand objects in the Museum's comprehensive and historically important collection of European sculpture and decorative arts reflect the development of a number of art forms in Western European countries from the early fifteenth through the early twentieth century. The holdings include sculpture in many sizes and media, woodwork and furniture, ceramics and glass, metalwork and jewelry, horological and mathematical instruments, and tapestries and textiles. Ceramics made in Asia for export to European markets and sculpture and decorative arts produced in Latin America during this period are also included among these works.

Metropolitan Museum of Art