Saint Lawrence Showing the Treasures of the Church

This painting shows Saint Lawrence, a Christian deacon from the 200s CE, telling a Roman official that the real treasures of the church are poor and sick people, not gold or silver.

What do you see?

You see a room with several people. On the left, a man in a red robe points to a group of poor and sick people. On the right, a Roman official in armor looks surprised. The poor people are barefoot and dressed in rags. The painting uses bright light on the faces of Saint Lawrence and the poor, while the official is in shadow.

Look closely

Look at Saint Lawrence's hand. What do you think he is saying with his gesture?
Notice the faces of the poor people. How do they look? Sad? Hopeful?
See the contrast between the rich clothes of the official and the rags of the poor. What does that tell you?
The light shines on the poor people. Why do you think the artist did that?
Look at the official's expression. Is he angry? Confused? Impressed?

Style and technique

This painting is Baroque. The artist, Bernardo Strozzi, used chiaroscuro — strong contrasts between light and dark — to make the scene dramatic. The light focuses on Saint Lawrence and the poor, making them the most important part. The colors are rich: red, gold, and brown. The composition guides your eye from Lawrence's hand to the poor people.

Feeling

The painting makes you feel that the poor people are valuable and important. It might make you think about what is truly valuable in life. The dramatic lighting creates a serious, respectful mood.

Connections

Try this

Draw a picture of something you think is a "true treasure" that isn't money.
Imagine you are Saint Lawrence. What would you say to the official?
Look at another Baroque painting and see if it also uses strong light and shadow.

Next to find

Find another painting by Bernardo Strozzi.
Look for a painting that shows a different story about Saint Lawrence.
Find an artwork that uses chiaroscuro in a different way.

圣徒劳伦斯展示教会的财宝

这幅画展示了公元3世纪的基督教执事圣劳伦斯，他告诉罗马官员，教会真正的财宝是穷人和病人，而不是金银。

你看到了什么？

你看到一个房间里有几个人。左边，一个穿红袍的人指向一群穷人和病人。右边，一个穿盔甲的罗马官员看起来很惊讶。穷人赤脚，衣衫褴褛。画作使用明亮的光线照在圣劳伦斯和穷人的脸上，而官员则处于阴影中。

仔细看

看圣劳伦斯的手。你觉得他的手势在说什么？
注意穷人的脸。他们看起来怎么样？悲伤？充满希望？
看看官员的华丽衣服和穷人的破衣服之间的对比。这告诉你什么？
光照在穷人身上。你认为艺术家为什么这样做？
看官员的表情。他是生气？困惑？还是被打动了？

风格与技巧

这幅画是巴洛克风格。艺术家贝尔纳多·斯特罗齐使用了明暗对照法——强烈的明暗对比——使场景具有戏剧性。光线聚焦在圣劳伦斯和穷人身上，使他们成为最重要的部分。色彩丰富：红色、金色和棕色。构图引导你的视线从劳伦斯的手到穷人。

感受

这幅画让你觉得穷人是宝贵和重要的。它可能让你思考生活中什么才是真正有价值的。戏剧性的光线营造出严肃、尊重的氛围。

联系

试试这个

画一幅你认为不是金钱的“真正财富”的画。
想象你是圣劳伦斯。你会对官员说什么？
看另一幅巴洛克画作，看看它是否也使用了强烈的明暗对比。

接下来找找看

找另一幅贝尔纳多·斯特罗齐的画作。
找一幅展示圣劳伦斯不同故事的画。
找一件以不同方式使用明暗对照法的艺术品。

Saint Lawrence Showing the Treasures of the Church圣徒劳伦斯展示教会的财宝