Artwork of the Month: Saint Agnes by Cavallino

Stillness and Strength: Cavallino’s Saint Agatha

 Our programme of Gallery Talks will resume on Wednesday 11 March at 11.30 with a talk on Cavallino’s Saint Agatha from Maisie McDonough, one of the Gallery’s Duty Managers.

Join us for a closer look at Bernardo Cavallino’s Saint Agatha, a painting whose power comes from stillness rather than spectacle. This talk explores how Cavallino captures resilience, dignity, and inner strength in the face of suffering, and how his gentle approach contrasts with more dramatic depictions of the same saint. Along the way, we’ll consider why Saint Agatha has continued to inspire artists and viewers for centuries. A chance to slow down, look closely, and discover the quiet intensity of this remarkable work.

Bernardo Cavallino (1616-1654/1656), Saint Agatha, 1635-1645, oil on canvas, 64.1cm x 50.8cm. York Art Gallery, YORAG : 853. Image credit: York Museums Trust