Artwork
Saint Catherine of Alexandria
Saint Catherine of Alexandria is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Martin Schongauer. It dates from 1485 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
This engraving, created around 1485, is a print of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, a Christian martyr. It is the work of Martin Schongauer, a prominent Alsatian engraver and painter active in the late 15th century.
Subject & Meaning
The image depicts Saint Catherine kneeling, crowned, and holding a sword and wheel, symbols associated with her martyrdom. Her calm demeanor contrasts with the instruments of her suffering, conveying a sense of serene resolve.
Technique & Style
The engraving is characterized by detailed lines and shading, achieved through etching into metal. Schongauer's style is marked by expressiveness and attention to detail, reflecting his likely background in goldsmithing, a craft common among early engravers.
History & Provenance
Martin Schongauer, born between 1450 and 1453 in Colmar, was a pioneering German painter and engraver. He produced a significant body of engravings, influencing the development of printmaking north of the Alps before Albrecht Dürer.
Artist & collection
Artist
Martin Schongauer (c. 1450–1453, Colmar – 2 February 1491, Breisach), also known as Martin Schön ("Martin beautiful") or Hübsch Martin ("pretty Martin") by his contemporaries, was an Alsatian engraver and painter. He…
