The Martyrdom of Saint Florian

The Martyrdom of Saint Florian is an oil-on-panel painting executed c.1518–1520 by the German artist Albrecht Altdorfer, signed with his "A in A" monogram on a post of the bridge on the right.

It and the artist's Saint Florian Taking Leave of the Monastery were in the Spannocchi collection of the Pinacoteca nazionale di Siena until 1914, when they were both transferred to their present home in the Uffizi in Florence to strengthen the latter's holdings on the Northern Renaissance.

[5] Saint Florian was a Roman soldier from Enns, who, having defended the Christians of Upper Austria, in 304, was martyred by means of a grindstone tied around his neck and thrown with him into the river Inn.

Behind Florian, young, naked and kneeling, is the group of torturers and simple onlookers, and the large grindstone tied to his neck is in front of him.

His serene acceptance of martyrdom contrasts with the excited and distorted faces of the other characters, which effectively bring out his sanctity.