Scuola Toscana

Saint Catherine, oil on canvas, late 18th century or more likely early 19th century, Tuscan School. The historical account of Saint Catherine is very fragmented, and only a few reliable details remain. Tradition places the saint in the 4th century AD, at the beginning of the Early Middle Ages, and states that she was very beautiful and learned in all arts and sciences as the daughter of a king, Costo. After converting to Christianity, Catherine received Christ in a dream, with whom she united in a mystical marriage, thus rejecting all other suitors. It is then said that at only eighteen years old, she tried to convert Emperor Maxentius or Maximian with philosophical arguments, who was trying to seduce her and take her as his wife. The emperor tried to counter Catherine's arguments by summoning fifteen or fifty philosophers, who, failing to disprove the Christian truth expressed by Catherine, were killed by the emperor. Catherine herself was also sentenced to death, and it was decided to proceed using four wheels equipped with spikes. However, the saint was saved thanks to the intervention of an angel who broke the instrument of torture. Nevertheless, the emperor, determined in his intent, had her beheaded, and the angels transported her body to Mount Sinai. This legend justifies her iconographic representation through attributes such as the spiked wheel, the sword, the crown in reference to her royal blood, the palm of martyrdom, the ring, and the book, an emblem of wisdom. These are in fact present in the work we are presenting. She is the patron saint of scholars and students and is therefore depicted surrounded by symbols of culture, open books, mathematical instruments, terrestrial globes, although the depiction of her mystical marriage with Christ is equally frequent. For more information, do not hesitate to contact me also by phone or Whatsapp at 349.7714423. I can send additional photographs and a short video that will help to better understand the characteristics. Read my reviews, CLICK HERE www.faustinimarcoantichita.it