The Martyrdom of St. Anne

Jacopo del Sellaio  (1442-1493)

Jacopo del Sellaio was born in Florence in 1442. His father was a saddler, and it is from this trade that the artist's name - del Sellaio - originated.

His first master was Fra Filippo, not Botticelli as some believe, since Botticelli was two years younger than del Sellaio. Some of his early works also show an influence from Verrochio. Most of his very early works represent the Virgin kneeling in adoration before the Child Jesus, a theme for which Fra Filippo showed a certain partiality. In 1480 he acquired a workshop together with Filippo di Giuliano in the Piazza San Miniato fra le Torri. He died in 1493 at the age of 51, and was buried in the church of S. Frediano.

This piece depicts an angel putting a wreath on St. Anne's head as she achieves the martyr's crown. There are warriors struggling in the courtyard area.