Christ with saints Julian, Basilissa, Celsus and Marcionilla, c. 1736
Oil on canvas
64 × 34.9 cm (25 3/16 × 13 3/4 in.)
Los Angeles, Getty Museum
In the upper half of this oil study, Christ is depicted in glory surrounded by adoring angels. Looking up at him are four martyr saints: Saints Celsus, Marcionilla, Julian, and Basilissa. Pompeo Batoni made this sketch when he was only twenty-eight, in preparation for his first important commission in Rome. He was commissioned to create a life-size altarpiece that still hangs in the the church of Saints Celsus and Julian today. More on this painting
Saint Julian was born in Antioch, the metropolis of Syria, and was the only son of his parents, who were illustrious, rich, and Christians who feared God. They raised him in praiseworthy customs, and endeavored, to be taught in all good letters, which he learned easily At that time there were many Christians and saints in Antioch, whom he visited with a desire to imitate them…
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Zaidan Gallery 