# Saint Margaret

**Sassetta** (Sienese, probably 1392–1450)  
c. 1435  
tempera on poplar panel  
overall: 28.5 x 10.6 cm (11 1/4 x 4 3/16 in.) framed: 31.4 x 13.3 x 7.8 cm (12 3/8 x 5 1/4 x 3 1/16 in.)

Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1943.4.4. [The museum's record](https://www.nga.gov/collection/art-object-page.12102.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 body turned to us, with their head looking downward to the left. The person has pale skin, round, rosy cheeks, and wavy yellow hair surrounded by a golden halo with intricate patterns. They are wearing a dark robe over a dark red dress or tunic and holding a long, thin red cross in one hand, while the other hand holds a closed red book. At their feet lies a black dog-like animal with wide yellow eyes. The scene is set against a golden textured background within a gilded border.

_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 × 4 in (29 × 11 cm). The 8 × 10 in print is close to life size.
- Century: 15th century
- Subjects: Margaret, saints
- 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/1360.jpg?dl=1
- Image: https://img.ochreeditions.com/a/1360/1920.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-margaret-nga-12102).