Saint Dongual at Ayres

The painting of Saint Dongual at Ayres was made by Firien Nalconne. It depicts Saint Dongual holding a sword with the town of Ayres in the background. It was believed to have been painted between 4219 and 4225 and have been Nalconne's masterwork. The painting was originally commissioned by Saint Gardoin Church. Several members of the clergy at the church have been identified as peasants painted into the background. Nalconne used oil painted on canvas, and the painting is known for its realism and detail.
In 4498, Saint Gardoin Church burned to the ground. Miraculously, the painting survived with only minor smoke damage to the frame. It was then purchased and restored by a descendant of Nalconne. Over the years, the painting of Saint Dongual at Ayres has been attributed to various theories. The sword that he carries is seen as a holy relic, but no one has ever found it. Many look to Saint Dongual at Ayres as one of the best depictions of the sword to the point of some believing that Firien Nalconne had it in his possession or knew its whereabouts. Some speculate that the location of the sword is hidden in the original sketch underneath the layers of paint. In 4625, it was sold to the National Gallery in Roucen. Over the years, there have been several attempts at theft and vandalism, and in one instance, the potential thief claimed to have seen Saint Dongual raise his sword over his head as though ready to strike down anyone who'd damage the work. It was one of the few paintings successfully smuggled out of Roucen during the Giardist Revolution and moved to its current location in the Grand Museum in Alavera. It is popular with tourists, and many people flock each year to the museum to see the painting. Over the centuries, the painting has been stained and is now considerably darker than when it was first made. Much of the background is obscured, and some people theorize that the painting is a fake and the original burned in the fire.