Raphael: Saint Catherine of Alexandria
How does Raphael's iconic 'Saint Catherine of Alexandria' compare to historic images of the saint?
Saint Catherine of Alexandria and Twelve Scenes from Her Life Saint Catherine of Alexandria and Twelve Scenes from Her Life (about 1330) by Donato d'Arezzo and Gregorio d'ArezzoThe J. Paul Getty Museum
Saint Catherine of Alexandria
The story of Saint Catherine of Alexandria is one which has been the source of great fascination since the Middle Ages, retold and reimagined time and again. The panel pictured here shows 'Saint Catherine of Alexandria and Twelve Scenes from Her Life'.
Saint Catherine's Story
According to legend, Catherine was a princess of noble birth who possessed remarkable intellectual prowess. She is said to have experienced a moving vision of the infant Christ and his mother the Virgin Mary, after which she converted to Christianity.
At this time Christians faced persecution under the rule of the Roman Emperor Maxentius. When Catherine protested, the emperor sent 50 philosophers to convince her to renounce her faith. Catherine debated the scholars, all of whom she later converted to Christianity.
Catherine would not give up her faith, so Emperor Maxentius sentenced her to death. She was bound to a spiked wheel and tortured, but before Catherine could be harmed, a thunderbolt struck and destroyed the wheel.
Despite this momentary reprieve, Catherine was later beheaded.
Representations of Saint Catherine in Art
Although depictions of Saint Catherine have changed over time, she is often shown with recognisable attributes linked directly to the retellings of her life story. Perhaps the most recognisable of these is the spiked 'Catherine' wheel.
Other important attributes which Catherine was often shown with include, the crown and rich dress indicating her royal birth, the sword with which she was executed and a book, indicating her learning. Sometimes she was also depicted crushing the Emperor Maxentius beneath her feet.
Saint Catherine of Alexandria (about 1507) by RaphaelThe National Gallery, London
Raphael's 'Saint Catherine of Alexandria'
This 16th-century painting by Raphael is one of a number of depictions of Saint Catherine in the National Gallery Collection. Raphael painted this work in about 1507, showing Saint Catherine in a tranquil rural landscape.
A Vision of Faith
Raphael's painting of Saint Catherine no doubt developed from earlier traditions of depicting saints in paintings. However, Raphael also captures the moving and visionary aspect of Catherine’s faith.
Here Catherine holds her hand tenderly to her breast, gazing towards the heavens in a moment of divine ecstasy.
Artists inspiring Artists
During his early career, Raphael was active in the workshop of Pietro Perugino, whose work had an important impact on the young Raphael’s artistic development.
Saint Catherine of Alexandria (about 1507) by RaphaelThe National Gallery, London
In Raphael’s ‘Saint Catherine’, the elegant form of the figure and her placement against a distant landscape show Perugino’s influence.
While Raphael's painting in some ways echos Perugino’s approach, we can also see the influence of other Renaissance artists in Raphael's work.
The dynamic, curving pose of Saint Catherine, for example, is reminiscent of a lost composition by Leonardo da Vinci of Leda and the Swan, which Raphael copied between 1505 and 1507, (Royal Collection).
Head of Leda (c.1504 - c.1506) by Leonardo da VinciRoyal Collection Trust, UK
A preparatory study by Leonardo for his depiction of Leda (pictured here) shows how Raphael drew influence from his composition, especially in the depiction of the spiralling curls and braids of the figure’s hair.
Saint Catherine of Alexandria (about 1507) by RaphaelThe National Gallery, London
If we look closely, we can see how Raphael has drawn influence from Leonardo's Leda in his depiction of Catherine's spiralling curls and braids.
When we look more closely at this painting, it becomes clear that this work is a fusion of artistic influences, all brought together in brilliant harmony through Raphael’s bold style of painting.
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