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Saint Catherine of Alexandria

early 15th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 306
Saint Catherine, depicted in the delicately jeweled statuette, was seen to embody the power of Christian erudition. According to legend, Saint Catherine's learned arguments on behalf of Christianity converted not only the court philosophers of the pagan emperor Maxentius, but 200 guardian soldiers and the ruler's wife as well. In retribution, all were put to death. The virtuous saint is shown holding the spiked wheel upon which she was tortured before being decapitated. Though the statue is reputed to have come from a convent in Clermont-Ferrand, the fine workmanship, sensitive modeling, and precious gem-studded decoration are consistent with the finest works produced in Paris. The image may have come from a reliquary, where it and figures of other saints would have been integrated into an architectural ensemble.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Saint Catherine of Alexandria
  • Date: early 15th century
  • Culture: French
  • Medium: Gold, ronde-basse enamel, and jewels
  • Dimensions: Overall (without wooden base): 3 7/8 x 2 1/8 x 1 1/8 in. (9.8 x 5.4 x 2.8 cm)
    Overall (with wooden base): 4 13/16 x 2 3/16 x 1 in. (12.3 x 5.5 x 2.6 cm)
    Base (wooden): 1 1/8 x 1 x 2 3/16 in. (2.9 x 2.6 x 5.5 cm)
    Base (Marble): 1 3/4 x 1 3/8 x 2 15/16 in. (4.4 x 3.5 x 7.4 cm)
  • Classification: Enamels-Ronde Bosse
  • Credit Line: Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
  • Object Number: 17.190.905
  • Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters

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3175. Saint Catherine of Alexandria

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