Anonymous: The martyrdom of Pope Clement I (1523)

 

(Private Collection)

An illuminated page made by an unknown Italian artist. This piece comes from a missal which was probably commissioned by the Medici Pope Clemens VII (1478 – 1534). This leaf shows also the name of Pope Leo X (1475-1521), the cousin of Clemens VII. Both Medici papal coats of arms, a shield with six balls surmounted by the papal keys and tiara are visible on the page. In the left and right side of the page are half-length figures of evangelists, prophets, or sibyls and the monograms of both pontifices visible. At the top is the motto of Clemens VII – Suave (sweet) – on scrolls twisted through a yoke, in reference to Matthew 11:30, "For my yoke is sweet and my burden light". The main scene in the centre shows the martyrdom of Pope Saint Clement I (died 99 AD). According to the story Clement I was arrested by the Roman Emperor Trajan and condemned to work in the marble quarries on the Crimea. Miraculously, Clement drew water for his parched fellow captives, who then all converted to Christianity. Trajan next ordered Clement to be thrown from a boat into the Black Sea, tied to an anchor around his neck. A piece from 1523.