Het martelaarschap van Matthias

A large figure of Saint Matthias stands in the foreground, holding a book and the axe that served as the instrument of his death. To the right, he is shown kneeling as a crowd stones him and an executioner raises a blade, set against a backdrop of Roman-style architecture and a statue of Mercury. The scene is characterized by the muscular, twisting poses of the figures and the detailed rendering of classical artifacts.

The inclusion of a detailed statue of Mercury with a caduceus serves as a visual foil to the Christian apostle, illustrating the tension between the 'prisca theologia' (ancient wisdom) and the Christian mission. It exemplifies how Mannerist artists used classical archaeology to provide historical context to sacred narratives while showcasing their knowledge of ancient symbols.