Martyr Sweater

€47.50

The Christian Martyrs' Last Prayer, by Jean-Léon Gérôme (1883)

 The Christian Martyrs’ Last Prayer is often used as a visual reminder to highlight Rome’s brutality against Christians in those early centuries of its existence. Gérôme might have been inspired by stories he read about how the Romans treated early Christians. He might have even come across various texts how Christians were supposedly fed to half-starved lions. In truth, this punishment (including being burned alive or hacked to death) was not only reserved to the Christians but other criminals too. But the image of lions mauling Christians is one that has been planted in our subconscious for centuries.

In his taunting painting Gérôme could have easily painted a grotesque fanciable view of lions attacking Christians, but instead the image of a lion rising from beneath the colosseum seemingly on the prowl has more effect. The most amazing aspect of Gérôme painting though is a group of Christians huddled together praying knowing that their death is imminent. Interestingly, Christians who died in the Colosseum and other arena’s across the empire I’m led to believe wanted to die as martyrs rather than have renounced their faith. In short, it’s a sobering act of defiance captured in striking detail by Gérôme.

We are reminded of the words of Jesus "hosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it." Luke 17:33

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More details

  • 100% cotton face
  • 65% cotton, 35% polyester
  • Charcoal Heather is 55% cotton, 45% polyester
  • Heavyweight fabric: 8.5 oz/y² (288.2 g/m²)
  • Regular fit

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Quality Guarantee & Returns

  • Quality is guaranteed. If there is a print error or visible quality issue, we'll replace or refund it.
  • Because the products are made to order, we do not accept general returns or sizing-related returns.