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514 - Saint Catherine – Italian Master, 17th century Oil on reline…
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Estimate €2,500 - €5,000
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Description
Saint Catherine – Italian Master, 17th century Oil on relined canvas. Measures 68 x 53 cm. This devotional composition depicts Saint Catherine of Alexandria in half-length, engrossed in reading a book which she holds delicately in her hands, emphasising her status as a wise woman amongst Christian virgin martyrs. The figure emerges from a dark background that enhances the luminosity of her face and hands through a refined use of chiaroscuro, whilst the soft folds of her garments and the elegant tilt of her head convey an atmosphere of spiritual recollection and intellectual contemplation. The work directly follows the iconographic model popularised by Antonio da Correggio around 1530–1532, which was widely replicated in the artistic circles of northern Italy, where the saint is portrayed with an idealised beauty and a serene expression that combines naturalism and Renaissance grace. The delicate modulation of light, the softness of the flesh tones, and the compositional balance reveal the assimilation of the aesthetic principles developed by Italian Cinquecento painting and continued throughout the 17th century. The depiction of the book alludes to the saint’s profound erudition and her knowledge of philosophy and Christian doctrine, whilst her introspective demeanour reinforces the meditative nature of the scene. The painting belongs to a devotional tradition cultivated by numerous Italian masters, including Cesare da Sesto, Garofalo, Dosso Dossi, Lorenzo Lotto, and Bernardino Luini, who helped to consolidate this iconographic model inspired by the ideas of Leonardo da Vinci and Correggio. The quality of the drawing, the subtlety of the light, and the expressive sensitivity make the work a remarkable example of Italian religious painting in the Correggio tradition. 68 x 53 cm.
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About the sale GRAND SUMMER AUCTION OF HAUTE ÉPOQUE AND PRIVATE COLLECTIONS
Auction location
Auction time 06/29/2026 at 4:00 AM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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