Artwork
Saints John the Baptist and Catherine of Alexandria
Saints John the Baptist and Catherine of Alexandria is an unspecified painting by the Italo Byzantine artist Unknown. It dates from 1350 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. This painting depicts two figures standing together against a gold-leaf background, within a frame adorned with carved leaves and roundels.
About this work
Overview
This painting depicts two figures standing together against a gold-leaf background, within a frame adorned with carved leaves and roundels.
Subject & Meaning
The figures are identified as saints by their halos and symbolic attributes: the left figure holds a scroll, while the right figure, dressed in a blue and gold gown and wearing a crown, holds a wheel, likely referencing John the Baptist and Catherine of Alexandria.
Technique & Style
The use of gold leaf and intricate patterns on the figures' clothing suggests a high level of craftsmanship, consistent with a devotional work intended for a church or chapel setting.
Artist & collection
