Describe the characteristics of the Original location in The Martyrdom of Saint Erasmus (Poussin)'s Description.
The painting was intended to decorate the altarpiece of the altar located to the left of the north transept. This altar has a decoration that dates back to the time of Pope Clement VIII, made of gilded stucco and polychromatic marble. It has been consecrated to Saint Erasmus of Formia since 1605, after the relics of the saint were transferred to the site from the old basilica, where the cult of this saint dates back to 1119. It is an altar that is poorly endowed for his worship but which is the subject of fervent worship on the part of the faithful, which no doubt explains its continued existence in the new basilica. The old altarpiece was decorated with a painting known only from an engraving by Jacques Callot. This was attributed to an obscure Mannerist painter of Polish origin by the name of Thomas Treter, and dated around 1575. However, this attribution and dating is questioned. Treter's painting remained in place in the new basilica between at least 1605 and 1627.
Erasmus of Formia Pope Clement VIII marble Polish stucco Jacques Callot