Saint Catherine holding palm leaves and a sword, two putti overhead holding a laurel (ca. 1625–59, Met-Objekt 1190)
Original title: Saint Catherine holding palm leaves and a sword, two putti overhead holding a laurel
kurzbeschreibung
Saint Catherine of Alexandria appears here as a martyr, holding a sword in her right hand and palm fronds in her left. This engraving is by Schelte Adams à Bolswert and is dated between about 1625 and 1659. The print was executed as an etching with engraving, and it survives as the second of two states.
Description
Clothed in a richly patterned robe interwoven with ornamental details, the saint stands upright. Her right hand grasps a sword, her left holds palm fronds—both signs of her martyrdom. Above her, two putti hover, together carrying a laurel wreath. Columns and an arched frame provide an architectural setting for the figure. The rendering remains monochrome in graded greys, with even lighting and no strong shadows.
Context
Schelte Adams à Bolswert, a seventeenth-century Dutch engraver, is best known for his reproductive prints after Peter Paul Rubens. This sheet was made between 1625 and 1659, during the years Bolswert worked in Antwerp. With sword and palm frond, Saint Catherine follows the iconographic tradition of Catholic saint veneration, widespread in the Baroque era. The print likely served as a devotional image within a series of saint depictions.
Impact
The calm, symmetrical arrangement and even illumination give the sheet a solemn, elevated mood. The detailed rendering of drapery and architecture creates a noble, representative air. Clear linework makes the view feel quiet and contemplative.
Technique
Etching and engraving are combined here, allowing precise linework and fine hatching. The monochrome grey palette results from the printing process using black ink on paper. The second state is described as unchanged, suggesting a reworking of the plate.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)