St. Catherine of Alexandria (ca. 1644–50)
Original title: St. Catherine of Alexandria
kurzbeschreibung
Unlike many martyr images of the period, this print shows Saint Catherine of Alexandria not in the moment of suffering but as a calm figure with her attributes. Wenceslaus Hollar made the etching and engraving around 1644–50; this is the first state of two. The saint carries a sword and a palm branch, and a halo surrounds her head.
Description
Catherine occupies the middle of the image and stands in the foreground. She wears a headscarf and a long-sleeved blouse. Her right hand grips a sword, her left holds a palm branch. A bright circle around her head marks her holiness. The background stays neutral and sparse in detail; the rendering is monochrome, with fine shading built from lines and dots. Along the bottom edge runs the inscription 'RAPH: VRB. PINXIT. W HOLLAR FECIT. ex Collectione Arundeliana'.
Context
The inscription points to a painting by Raphael in the Arundel collection as the source. Hollar made the print during his years in England, where he served Thomas Howard, Earl of Arundel. The etching dates from about 1644–50 and belongs to a series of reproductions after Italian masters.
Impact
The clear layout, with the figure at the centre and a plain backdrop, draws the eye quietly to the saint. Precise draughtsmanship gives the sheet elegance and precision and invites close looking.
Technique
Hollar combined etching and engraving here, which allowed both soft lines and exact detail. This first state of two shows shading through parallel and crossing lines as well as through stippling.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)