1596
unspecified
From the collection of Galleria Borghese
The Ecstasy of Saint Catherine of Siena is a 1596 unspecified by Agostino Carracci, a Early Baroque Italian work, held at Galleria Borghese.
This painting depicts a woman, Saint Catherine of Siena, in a state of religious ecstasy. She is dressed in a white robe and a black cloak, with a crown of thorns on her head. Her eyes are closed, and her head is tilted back. An angel is holding her from behind, and another angel is standing beside her, holding a heart. The woman's right hand is resting on her chest, and her left hand is holding a cross. There are wounds on her hands, and blood is dripping from them. The background of the painting is a warm, golden color. The artist's use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of depth and drama in the painting. The contrast between light and dark emphasizes the emotional intensity of the scene. For more on this technique, look up chiaroscuro.
Agostino Carracci ( kə-RAH-chee, UK also kə-RATCH-ee, Italian: ; also Caracci; 16 August 1557 – 22 March 1602) was an Italian painter, printmaker, tapestry designer, and art teacher.
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