The Death of Ananias

In this fourth tapestry the apostles supervise the distribution of earnings among the needy people of the first Christian communities, as narrated in the book of the Acts of the Apostles (4: 32−34 and 5: 1−11). Peter, who could read people’s hearts, discovers the deceitfulness of Ananias and his wife Sapphira, who have kept back part of the proceeds from the sale of some land. They were instantly punished: Ananias was struck down dead, followed by his wife and accomplice. 

The dignified, solemn meeting of the apostles takes place on a platform in the centre. On either side the faithful hold out their offerings, which are shared out among the needy. In the foreground, Ananias has fallen down and dies, much to the astonishment and horror of those present. Peter has just delivered his verdict and stands out energetically among the group of apostles, while one of them points upwards at the heavens, from where the divine judgement has come. Sapphira, counting the coins in her hand, approaches from the left, unaware of the punishment that has been inflicted on her spouse and will later befall her too.

Borders: The side borders illustrate the Muses, goddesses of the sciences and arts, headed by their father, Jupiter. Arranged in a column on the left are Polymnia, the muse of eloquence, with a scroll; Euterpe, the muse of music and poetry, with a double flute; and Clio, the muse of history, with a scroll. On the right are Polymnia again, with a  scroll; Athena, the goddess of wisdom and the arts; Terpsichore, the muse of dance, with her lyre; and Urania, the muse of astronomy, with a star-studded sphere. Seated in a row in the lower border are Euterpe again; Calliope, the muse of heroic poetry; Melpomene, the muse of tragedy; Erato, the muse of lyric poetry; and Thalia, the muse of comedy.

Texts: Concha Herrero Carretero