A POEM A DAY - SANTA LUCÍA


This is a detail from the 15th Century painting of Santa Lucía by Maestro de Perea from the collection in the Fine Arts Museum of Valencia. One among many stunning gothic works, this is painted in oils on wood and the brush strokes, gold detail and vibrant colours light up the painting. Santa Lucía is shown holding a plate with two staring eyes. Medieval stories refer to her losing her eyes, either at her own hand or by torture which were then miraculously restored after her martyr's death. Other accounts state the eyes are due to her name, 'luz' meaning light and some northern traditions celebrate her as the bearer of light in the darkness of winter.  Whatever the truth of her life and death she is venerated as the Patron Saint of the blind, of those suffering from eye problems, authors, sadlers, cutlers, glass workers and peasants. 






© 2019 Jacqueline Knight Cotterill.  All rights reserved. 

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