Artwork
Saint Catherine of Alexandria
Saint Catherine of Alexandria is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Giovanni Antonio Pellegrini. It dates from 1718 and is held in the collection of the National Museum of Western Art.
About this work
Overview
Giovanni Antonio Pellegrini, a prominent Venetian painter active in the early eighteenth century, produced the oil painting Saint Catherine of Alexandria around 1718. The work portrays the early‑Christian martyr in a richly draped red robe, her gaze lifted upward, and is presently part of the National Museum of Western Art’s collection.
Subject & Meaning
The figure represents Saint Catherine, identified by the spiked wheel traditionally linked to her martyrdom. In the composition she holds a golden object, likely a palm frond symbolising victory over death, while her left hand rests calmly on her lap, suggesting a moment of serene contemplation.
Technique & Style
Pellegrini combines the luminous color palette of Veronese with the dynamic Baroque gestures associated with Pietro da Cortona and Luca Giordano. Light falls on the saint’s face and the folds of her garment, creating depth through subtle chiaroscuro, while decorative details such as lace trim, gold jewelry, and a delicate earring reflect Rococo’s ornamental sensibility.
History & Provenance
Executed circa 1718, the painting entered the holdings of the National Museum of Western Art, where it remains on display. Its acquisition history is not extensively documented, but the work has been attributed to Pellegrini based on stylistic analysis and archival references to his late‑career output.
Context
Created during a period when Venetian artists were integrating the grandeur of the Baroque with the lighter, more decorative tendencies of the Rococo, Saint Catherine exemplifies Pellegrini’s role in mediating these currents. The work reflects contemporary devotional art that emphasized both narrative clarity and visual elegance.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Giovanni Antonio Pellegrini (29 April 1675 – 2 or 5 November 1741) was one of the leading Venetian history painters of the early 18th century.
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Ceres, Bacchus and Cupid
Rettung des hl. Sebastian durch Irene
The Continence of Scipio
Allegorie auf den Tod einer Fürstin
Allegorie: Ein alter Mann ergreift das Szepter
Begrüßung der Kurfürstin Maria Luisa von Toskana
Allegorie der Befreiung vom Joch des Islam (Frieden und Glück unter Johann Wilhelm von der Pfalz)
