The Martyrdom of St. Erasmus

work by Poussin

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Last updated

July 16, 2026

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The Martyrdom of St. Erasmus is a painting by Nicolas Poussin, a French artist who spent most of his career in Rome. St. Erasmus was an early Christian bishop and martyr, believed to have died around 303 AD during the persecution of Christians by Emperor Diocletian. He is venerated as one of the patron saints of sailors and is associated with Saint Elmo's fire.12

Poussin's painting of The Martyrdom of St. Erasmus was an altarpiece commissioned for St. Peter's Basilica. However, it did not receive critical acclaim and marked an end to Poussin's career as a public painter in Rome. Following this, Poussin shifted his focus to easel paintings. The legend of St. Erasmus's martyrdom includes accounts of him being disemboweled, leading to his invocation for intestinal maladies.12

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Nicolas Poussin
Beginnings
…in securing the commission for The Martyrdom of St. Erasmus, an altarpiece for St. Peter’s. Poussin’s altarpiece did not meet with critical acclaim, however, and it effectively helped to end his career as a public painter in Rome. Deciding to concentrate instead on easel pictures of increasing subtlety and refinement,…
Read More
…in securing the commission for The Martyrdom of St. Erasmus, an altarpiece for St. Peter’s. Poussin’s altarpiece did not meet with critical acclaim, however, and it effectively helped to end his career as a public painter in Rome. Deciding to concentrate instead on easel pictures of increasing subtlety and refinement,…
Read More