Saint Catherine of Alexandria (1490–1528)
Original title: Saint Catherine of Alexandria
kurzbeschreibung
Saint Catherine of Alexandria stands on the paper, turned in profile to the left. Albrecht Dürer made this drawing in brown ink between 1490 and 1528.
Description
Catherine wears a crown and a long, flowing robe with sleeves. Her gaze goes to the left, her expression calm, almost smiling. Her right hand holds a palm branch. The sheet has no background, and the figure fills the full height. Brown tones on yellowed paper, fine contours, and strong parallel hatching shape the drapery.
Context
Dürer was known for his precise, detailed prints; this sheet falls within his working period. Saint Catherine of Alexandria was among the most popular saints of the Renaissance and often appears with a crown and palm branch. In the lower right is the signature “Leonardo” – unusual and possibly added later or a misattribution.
Impact
The vertical orientation and empty background focus the eye on the figure and convey calm. Delicate lines alongside bold hatching make the drawing lively and sketch-like; attention stays entirely on the saint.
Technique
Brown ink on paper, with modelling achieved through varying line width and density. Light comes from the left, visible in lighter areas on the left and darker shadows on the right and in the drapery folds.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)