The engraving shows Titian's altarpiece, destroyed by fire, formerly in Santi Giovanni e Paolo, Venice. The painting, which many of his contemporaries considered to be Titian's finest work, was destroyed on 16 August 1867 by a fire caused by repair work. At its original location there is now a copy by Niccolò Cassana (1659-1713). It depicts the martyrdom of St Peter Martyr (1203-1252), a Dominican and inquisitor who was beaten to death on the road between Milan and Como because of his merciless attitude to those accused of heresy.