Saint Rosalie Interceding for the City of Palermo

Following an outbreak of the plague in the city of Palermo, residents reported that Saint Rosalie had appeared revealing the location of her mortal remains. The relics became a symbol of protection from the disease, and a reminder of those that had perished from it. Van Dyck completed several images of the saint during his stay in Palermo and upon his return to Antwerp. In this version, Saint Rosalie kneels next to her remains as she pleads for the wellbeing of her city, pictured in the background.