European Painting before 1900, Johnson Collection Saint Catherine of Alexandria, with the Defeated Emperor Probably the left wing of a triptych Made in Netherlands, Europec. 1482 Master of the Legend of Saint Lucy, Netherlandish (active Bruges), active c. 1470 - c. 1500 Oil on panel * Gallery 219, European Art 1100-1500, second floor Cat. 326 John G. Johnson Collection, 1917 |
LabelSaint 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.* Works in the collection are moved off view for many different reasons. Although gallery locations on the website are updated regularly, there is no guarantee that this object will be on display on the day of your visit. |
