The Martyrdom of Saint Catherine
Medium
oil on plywood transferred from panel
Dimensions
overall: 62.2 x 118.2 cm (24 1/2 x 46 9/16 in.) framed: 86.3 x 141.6 x 8.2 cm (34 x 55 3/4 x 3 1/4 in.)
Classification
Painting
Department
CNE-R
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Samuel H. Kress Collection
Accession Number
1952.2.18
Art Historical Context
Created around 1540 in Antwerp, a thriving center of trade and artistic production in the Low Countries, *The Martyrdom of Saint Catherine* captures a dramatic moment from early Christian legend. The painting depicts the young saint’s intended execution on a spiked wheel, a scene that resonated deeply with 16th-century audiences seeking models of faith and endurance. Although the artist remains unidentified, the work has been associated with Matthys Cock, whose circle blended detailed Northern observation with emerging Italianate influences. The choice of oil paint on panel—later transferred ...