1485
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Saint Catherine is a 1485 ink by Israhel van Meckenem, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving shows a woman in a long robe and crown, holding a sword in one hand and a broken wheel at her feet. Her hair is styled in soft curls, and she wears a necklace with a pendant. The background is plain, but her cloak drapes over her shoulder, and her face looks calm. The broken wheel is a clue—it’s often linked to stories about Saint Catherine, who was said to have refused to marry and was tortured on one. This image uses simple lines to show power and suffering. Next, look up engraving to see how artists like this carved detailed images into metal plates.
Israhel van Meckenem (c. 1445 – 10 November 1503), also known as Israhel van Meckenem the Younger, was a German printmaker and goldsmith, perhaps of a Dutch family origin. He was the most prolific engraver of the…
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