How to Read Paintings: Saint Lucy by Francesco del Cossa
Understanding the symbolism in this fascinating painting
This intriguing image was painted by the Italian artist Francesco del Cossa. Made around 1474, it shows the Christian Saint Lucy against a background of gold. She holds a palm leaf in one hand and a pair of eyes growing on a stalk in the other.
Just look at the eyes. It’s as if they are sprouting like flowers from two buds — wide and clear, looking upwards, shining with dots of light.
So what’s going on in this painting?
The Palm Leaf
First things first, if you see a painting with someone holding a palm leaf then it’s safe to say they are a martyr put to death by persecutors of the Christian faith. Figures like Saint Lucy and Saint Catherine appear in art holding a martyr’s palm to signify their sacrifice, as well as victory over their oppressors through their unswerving devotion to their faith.
The association of palm leaves with saintliness comes from the feast of Palm Sunday, a celebration commemorating Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem when palm branches were placed along the path into the city.
Palm trees have a long tradition in Judeo-Christian symbolism, beginning with Psalm 92:12: “The…
