Saint Margaret of Cortona
1887.116
Name/Title
Saint Margaret of CortonaEntry/Object ID
1887.116Tags
Consult expertDescription
Saint Margaret of Cortona was born at Laviano, Tuscany, in 1247. She lost her mother at a young age, and did not get along with her step-mother. At about the age of 17 she met a knight and ran away with him. Although they never married, she had a son with him and lived with him for nine years near Montepulciano. Despite living in a state of sin (she regularly begged her lover to marry her), Margaret was compassionate and generous to the poor and had a deeply contemplative life. When her lover was murdered, she gave away all of her jewelry and wealth, and eventually became a penitent of the Third Order of Saint Francis in Cortona. She was renowned for her poverty, acts of charity to the poor and sick, and helping to found a hospital. Honored as a saint from the time of her death, she was not canonized until 1728. Her body is incorrupt. She is a patron saint of prostitutes. Her attributes are a Franciscan habit, crucifix and dog (her lover's hunting dog that led her to his slain body).Artwork Details
Medium
Paper, SanguineCollection
Archabbey-European Prints and DrawingsCataloged By
ChristopherAcquisition
Accession
1887.116Acquisition Method
Found in CollectionMade/Created
Artist
UnknownDate made
1600 - 1650Notes
Date: 17th Century Artist's School: German Technique: DrawingEthnography
Culture/Tribe
Northern European