The painting was previously attributed to Kremser Schmidt and was exhibited as such at the exhibition of 1957. The Austrian master had been an important role model for Layer from the 1780’s onwards and had a dominant influence on the painter’s oeuvre.

The picture shows a popular motif from the life of St. Martin of Tours. Born in Savaria, Martin joined the Roman army as a 15-year-old boy and served as a soldier in Gaul. The story of the saint’s mercy and great compassion for his fellow humans also originates from this period of his life. He is said to have cut his military cloak in half in front of the city gates and given half of it to a beggar who was freezing. His deed made him a symbol of generosity, compassion and mercy – qualities that are important and necessary even in times of great trials.

The artist painted the motif on a small-format with quick strokes, which suggests it is a preparatory study or bozzetto, perhaps based on a work by Kremser Schmidt, which Layer could have later used as a model for a larger altarpiece. Compositionally similar is also the painting in the high altar in the parish church in Šmartin at Kranj, which is attributed to Valentin Metzinger (c. 1740).