In Legend of Saint Ursula, how is the Background of the Description elucidated?
The paintings were commissioned by the Loredan family, who had the Scuola of St. Ursula under their patronage and who had been distinguished for their military deeds against the "infidel" Ottomans, which are repeatedly echoed in the panels of the cycle. This was not one of the six Scuole Grandi of Venice, but a similar confraternity.
According to Jacobus de Voragine's Golden Legend, Saint Ursula was the daughter of the Christian king of Brittany, who was betrothed to a pagan prince in exchange to his conversion to Christianity and they both made a pilgrimage to Rome. On her way back home, at Cologne, she was martyred by Attila, King of the Huns, together with her following of 11,000 virgins, after she had refused to become his wife.
Scuole Grandi of Venice confraternity Huns Jacobus de Voragine Loredan family Cologne Golden Legend Saint Ursula Loredan Ottomans Venice Ottoman Attila Brittany