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The Martyrdom of Saint Catherine

Master MZ

1500

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Renaissance Renaissance Religious

Dominant colour

The Martyrdom of Saint Catherine is a 1500 ink by Master MZ, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Master MZ
When & what style?: 1500 · Renaissance
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This image depicts a scene of martyrdom, with a woman at its center. She is shown kneeling, with her hands clasped together in prayer, as a man prepares to strike her with a sword. The woman's face is serene, despite the danger that surrounds her. In the background, there are several figures watching the scene unfold. Some of them appear to be soldiers, while others seem to be civilians. The setting is outdoors, with a cityscape visible in the distance. The artist's use of cross-hatching creates a sense of depth and texture in the image. If you're interested in learning more about this technique, you might want to explore the work of artists who have used it to create detailed and realistic images.