Saint Catherine of Alexandria, with the Defeated Emperor

Currently not on view

Saint Catherine of Alexandria, with the Defeated Emperor

c. 1482

Master of the Legend of Saint Lucy (Netherlandish (active Bruges), active c. 1470–c. 1500)

Saint Catherine of Alexandria, here shown reading a book, was the patron saint of students and scholars. Because she refused to relinquish her faith under torture, she was revered in northern Europe during the Renaissance as a powerful helper for penitents in times of need. The sword she holds symbolizes her martyrdom and death by decapitation under the pagan emperor Maximinus. She stands victoriously over the emperor, secure in her eternal, spiritual life. The artist locates her triumph in his hometown of Bruges, depicted in the background, rather than in Catherine's native Alexandria.

Currently not on view

Object Details

Title:

Saint Catherine of Alexandria, with the Defeated Emperor

Date:

c. 1482

Artist:

Master of the Legend of Saint Lucy (Netherlandish (active Bruges), active c. 1470–c. 1500)

Medium:

Oil on panel

Dimensions:

26 1/4 x 10 5/8 inches (66.7 x 27 cm)

Classification:

Paintings

Credit Line:

John G. Johnson Collection, 1917

Accession Number:

Cat. 326

Geography:

Made in Netherlands, Europe

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Currently not on view