The Renunciation of Queen Elizabeth of Hungary
Artist: James Collinson (English, 1825-1881)
Date: 1850
Medium: Oil on canvas
Collection: Johannesburg Art Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa
Description
This painting illustrates the story of the thirteenth century noblewoman who renounced her throne, her possessions, and her family, for spiritual reasons in order to become an ascetic and minister to the poor. St. Elizabeth was never, in fact, Queen of Hungary.
Elizabeth of Hungary (7 July 1207 – 17 November 1231), also known as Elisabeth of Thuringia, was a princess of the Kingdom of Hungary and the landgravine of Thuringia.
Elizabeth was married at the age of 14, and widowed at 20. After her husband's death, she regained her dowry, using the money to build a hospital where she herself served the sick. She became a symbol of Christian charity after her death in 1231 at the age of 24 and was canonized on 25 May 1235. She is venerated as a saint by the Catholic Church. She was an early member of the Third Order of St. Francis, and is today honored as its patroness.
