Focus on this artwork and analyze the Details.
Oil was Paul Delaroche's medium of choice when painting The Young Martyr, as oil allowed him to manipulate the precise details in the painting over a long period of time, and, therefore, capture a high level of detail for “the appearance of the highest finish.”  As such, “the dignity of forms, the striking effect of the chiaroscuro, and those bluish grey tones which seemed to suit so well the touching sadness of the subject,” in The Young Martyr begins in the upper left-hand corner of the painting, where the figures of a man and a woman, embracing each other in terror upon seeing the drowned Christian, are barely visible.  Although the identity of the figures is unclear, it is generally thought that they are the young Christian's parents. As the sun sets behind the couple, the last rays of light point directly across the painting towards the Martyr. Also in the upper left-hand corner of the painting, a faint white star can be seen in the sky, just above the grieving couple. The presence of this star in the painting as its inclusion may allude to other historical or religious narratives. For example, if The Young Martyr was painted as a morning scene, with the rising sun in the far background, the faint star above the grieving parents may allude to the morning star, or Lucifer, from the Bible. As such, this star would suggest the presence of the Devil, or of evil (metaphorically) in the painting.  On the other hand, if The Young Martyr was painted as a scene taking place at sunset, then the star in the left-hand corner could be seen as the North Star, and, therefore, possibly as an allusion to God or Jesus.  The Martyr's hands are bound by rope, as she gently floats upon the surface of the Tiber. With her body erect (potentially suggesting the rigor mortis), the Martyr, appears both dead and alive. Delaroche details around the Martyr's right hand small, delineated ripples, barely emanating from around the crests of the Martyr's fingers. Directly above the head of the Martyr is a halo. The Martyr's halo, precise and crisp, appears surreal in contrast to the rest of the painting; furthermore, this halo helps to stage The Young Martyr as it exists as the primary source of light for the otherwise dimly lit Christian.
Paul Delaroche