# Saint Apollonia

**Sassetta** (Sienese, probably 1392–1450)  
c. 1435  
tempera on poplar panel  
overall: 28.6 x 11.3 cm (11 1/4 x 4 7/16 in.) framed: 31.4 x 14 x 7.8 cm (12 3/8 x 5 1/2 x 3 1/16 in.)

Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1943.4.5. [The museum's record](https://www.nga.gov/collection/art-object-page.12103.html).

## About this work

Sassetta painted this in about 1435, aged 45. It is now at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.

### What you’re looking at

This painting shows a person standing, their head slightly tilted to the left. They have a pale complexion, and short, wavy blonde hair adorned with a thin red crown. They have rosy, pink cheeks, arched eyebrows, a straight nose, and small lips set in a neutral expression. The individual is wearing a long red robe over a black tunic or dress and is holding a long black quill-like object in one hand, and what looks like a thin staff with a red loop at the end in the other. A detailed golden halo surrounds their head, and the background features an ornate gold pattern which is slightly worn and peeling in some places. The painting is bordered by a golden frame.

_Description from the National Gallery of Art._

### How it was made

- **Tempera.** Pigment bound with egg yolk. It dries in minutes and can’t be blended wet, so painters built up form with fine, hatched strokes. It was Europe’s main panel technique before oil.

### [Sassetta](https://www.ochreeditions.com/artists/sassetta)

Sienese, probably 1392–1450; born in Siena or Cortona; died in Siena

## Facts

- Type: Painting
- The artist was 45
- Real size: about 11 × 4½ in (29 × 11 cm). The 8 × 10 in print is close to life size.
- Century: 15th century
- Subjects: saints, Apollonia
- Colour: brown
- Rights: public domain (CC0 1.0); free to use for any purpose.

## Get it

- Free download, full resolution: https://img.ochreeditions.com/m/1361.jpg?dl=1
- Image: https://img.ochreeditions.com/a/1361/1920.jpg
- Giclée reproduction on Hahnemühle Photo Rag: 8 × 10 in $28; 11 × 14 in $38; 12 × 16 in $42; 16 × 20 in $56; 18 × 24 in $68; 20 × 30 in $86
- Framed reproduction: 8 × 10 in $78; 11 × 14 in $98; 12 × 16 in $108; 16 × 20 in $138; 18 × 24 in $164; 20 × 30 in $208
- Canvas reproduction: 8 × 10 in $58; 11 × 14 in $72; 12 × 16 in $79; 16 × 20 in $98; 18 × 24 in $118
- Print-ready file: 8 × 10 in $2; 11 × 14 in $2; 12 × 16 in $3; 16 × 20 in $3; 18 × 24 in $3; 20 × 30 in $5

Sizes stop where the museum's file would print below 150 pixels per inch. Everything sold is a reproduction, made to order. [Order a print](https://www.ochreeditions.com/art/saint-apollonia-nga-12103).