St. Catherine of Alexandria
- Date
- c.1535–40
- Material
- Marble with traces of polychrome
- made in
- Palermo, Sicily region, Italy, Europe
- Classification
- Sculpture
- Collection
- European Art to 1800
- Current Location
- Not on view
- Dimensions
- 66 x 27 x 18 in. (167.6 x 68.6 x 45.7 cm)
- Credit Line
- Museum Purchase
- Rights
- Public Domain
- Object Number
- 37:1936
NOTES
The graceful pose and downcast eyes of this elegant sculpture capture the serene beauty of Catherine of Alexandria, a 4th-century CE saint admired for her learning. Despite an order by Emperor Maximinus (reigned 305–313 CE) to persecute Christians, Catherine continued to preach her faith. Here Catherine tramples the emperor’s head, which conveys her triumph over his orders. The book in her left hand signifies her great intellect; her right hand originally gripped a sword, alluding to her eventual decapitation. This sculpture originally had painted edging along the bottom of Catherine’s gown, a typical motif employed by the Gagini workshop in Sicily.
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