The Holy Martyrs of Morocco

In 1219, five Franciscans sent by Saint Francis of Assisi to Morocco to preach the Gospel were captured and expelled by the Caliph. They returned to the same place and while attempting to convert the Caliph himself, the latter beheaded them with his scimitar.
The Martyrs are depicted in this painting as already basking in the glory of their sacrifice. This is symbolized by the cross borne by each of them and presented to a richly dressed female penitent, who kneels before a domestic oratory in which a crucifix, open prayer book and skull are visible – well known symbols used in 17th century Vanitas paintings. The painting has a cartouche whose text, though now very faint, helps identify the subject. The frame of the painting is japanned in bright red with low relief gilded carving. The entablature at the top with sinuous auricular designs rising symmetrically to a balanced ornamentation of local flowers, occupies the place where a shell design would appear in a European work. The entire profusion of gold-painted flower designs, along with all the carving is centred on an open lotus blossom.