A Pope (Saint Gregory?) and Saint Matthias

Saint Matthias holds the axe that was used to chop his head in half. He was not widely worshipped but he was an important saint for the church of Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome, where this panel formed part of an altarpiece: his relics were buried there, and he was depicted in a mosaic in the east end of the church.

To his left is the pope, Saint Gregory the Great, wearing the papal tiara – three layers of gold crowns. According to legend, Gregory made a procession to Santa Maria Maggiore in 590 to ask for the Virgin’s help when the city was struck by a plague. Another story tells how one Easter, when he was celebrating Mass at the church, a great chorus of angels appeared miraculously around him. Pope Martin V, who may have commissioned this altarpiece, was particularly devoted to Saint Gregory and may have specified his inclusion.

Text: © The National Gallery, London

Painting photographed in its frame by Google Arts and Culture, 2023.