Who painted Saints John the Baptist and Catherine of Alexandria?

Saints John the Baptist and Catherine of Alexandria was painted by Workshop of Paolo Veneziano in 1350.

Where can I see Saints John the Baptist and Catherine of Alexandria?

Saints John the Baptist and Catherine of Alexandria is held by Art Institute of Chicago.

What movement is Saints John the Baptist and Catherine of Alexandria?

Saints John the Baptist and Catherine of Alexandria is associated with Byzantine icon painting.

Artwork

Saints John the Baptist and Catherine of Alexandria

Workshop of Paolo Veneziano , 1350

Saints John the Baptist and Catherine of Alexandria is a tempera painting by the Byzantine icon painting artist Workshop of Paolo Veneziano. It dates from 1350 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Accession no.: 59971
Credit line: Charles H. and Mary F. S. Worcester Collection

About this work

Overview

This tempera on panel painting depicts Saints John the Baptist and Catherine of Alexandria, identifiable through their attire and attributes. Originally, it was part of a larger altarpiece, flanking a central image likely featuring the Virgin and Child, accompanied by Saints Augustine and Peter on the other side.

Subject & Meaning

The painting showcases two revered saints: John the Baptist, recognizable by his characteristic clothing and symbols, and Catherine of Alexandria, identified by her specific attributes. Their inclusion alongside other saints and a probable Virgin and Child central piece suggests a thematic emphasis on religious devotion and harmony among saints.

Technique & Style

Attributed to the Workshop of Paolo Veneziano, the painting blends sinuous Gothic lines, rich textile patterns, and austere Byzantine-influenced facial types, reflecting Venice's position at the crossroads of Western and Byzantine artistic traditions.

History & Provenance

While the original panel dates back to the Venetian Gothic period, the current frames are early 20th-century creations, designed to evoke the architectural motifs of 14th-century Venetian altarpieces.

Context

Created in a time when Venice was a hub of extensive trade networks spanning from Western Europe to East Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, the painting's stylistic fusion mirrors the city's cosmopolitan cultural exchange.

Saints John the Baptist and Catherine of Alexandria, Unknown

Artist & collection

Artist

Workshop of Paolo Veneziano

Paolo Veneziano’s workshop made altar panels in the 1300s, painting saints in gold-backed scenes with jewel-bright colors.

Museum

Art Institute of Chicago

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