The artwork, titled “St. Ursula and the Holy Virgins, from the Reliquary of St. Ursula,” was created by Hans Memling in 1489. This piece, rendered in oil on panel, belongs to the genre of religious paintings and is a notable work within the Northern Renaissance movement. It is part of the “Reliquary of St. Ursula” series and is currently housed in the Memling Museum (Old St. John’s Hospital) in Bruges, Belgium.
The artwork depicts St. Ursula, a revered Christian martyr, standing in a central position surrounded by holy virgins, all enclosed within a gothic architectural frame. St. Ursula is portrayed with a serene expression, holding an arrow, a symbol of her martyrdom. She is adorned in a red cloak over a white and brown gown, with a crown on her head, signifying her sanctity and royal status. The holy virgins, gathered around her, exhibit expressions of devotion, and they wear robes of varying colors. The intricacy of the gothic arch above, with its ornate carvings, highlights Memling’s meticulous attention to detail and his adeptness in incorporating architectural elements into his compositions. The stained glass windows in the background further create a solemn and hallowed atmosphere, reflective of the painting’s religious significance.
