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Secondary sourcePainting1748

The Martyrdom of Saint Thomas Becket

Jean-Baptiste Marie Pierre · 1748

An 18th-century French altarpiece painting depicting the murder of Thomas Becket by armed knights.

This altarpiece depicts Becket's martyrdom and shows his lasting status as a Catholic saint in France.

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Arched painting in a gilded frame. A bishop in a gold mitre and white and pink robes raises his arms while a man in a plumed hat raises a dagger toward him. A figure in a red hood kneels at left, and another man with a sword stands at right.
Jean-Baptiste Marie Pierre, The Martyrdom of Saint Thomas Becket, 1748. Conservation of Religious and Civil Works of Art.

About this source

What it is

This painting was made by Jean-Baptiste Marie Pierre in 1748 and is held by a conservation organisation for religious and civil works of art. It shows a bishop in gold and white robes, identified as Thomas Becket, raising his arms as a man with a dagger attacks him, while other figures look on or hold weapons.

Why it matters

This altarpiece shows that Becket remained an important Catholic martyr in France long after his cult was suppressed in England during the Reformation. It reveals how religious art across Europe continued to use his story to represent sacrifice and faith, even centuries after his death.

Look closer

  • What does the painter's choice of gold and pink robes suggest about how Becket was meant to be seen?
  • Why might French Catholics in the 18th century have continued to honour an English archbishop?
  • What is left out of the image that a historian might want to know about the event?

This painting is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Thomas Becket on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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Canterbury Cathedral

founded 597

A rectangular gilt copper reliquary casket with blue champlevé enamel, set with oval glass gems along its lid and four feet. Front panels show gilded figures in scenes, including a bishop-like figure at an altar with a chalice, and an upper scene of a tomb or bier with mourners.Artifact

Secondary source

Becket Casket

c. 1180-1190

A large semicircular textile, likely a chasuble, displayed flat in a curved glass case mounted on a white wall. Its faded beige fabric has repeating circular medallions containing small figures and patterns, with a vertical band down the center. Lights run along the top of the case.Artifact

Secondary source

Fermo Chasuble of St. Thomas Becket

12th century

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Secondary source

Becket Liturgical Garments, Sens Cathedral

12th century

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