Artwork
The Mystic Marriage of St Catherine
The Mystic Marriage of St Catherine is a photography by Unknown. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Overview
The work titled The Mystic Marriage of St Catherine, attributed to the artist known as 1982_person, dates from around 1650 and is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. Though presented as a photograph, it reproduces a composition typical of religious narrative paintings of the mid‑seventeenth century.
Subject & Meaning
The image depicts a small group assembled in a dim interior, suggesting the legendary marriage ceremony between Saint Catherine and the Christ Child.
The image depicts a small group assembled in a dim interior, suggesting the legendary marriage ceremony between Saint Catherine and the Christ Child. A woman in red cradles a nude infant, while another figure in blue kneels nearby, evoking the saint’s devotion. A crowned, bearded man with a staff and a woman in pink accompanied by a lamb complete the tableau, reinforcing themes of piety and sacrifice.
Technique & Style
The composition relies on strong contrasts of light and shadow, a chiaroscuro effect that models the figures and creates a sense of three‑dimensional space. Soft illumination falls on the central figures, while deeper shadows recede into the background, where a smaller child and an elderly man appear only faintly.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1650, the piece entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings at an unspecified date. Its attribution to 1982_person reflects a scholarly consensus based on stylistic analysis, though the artist’s identity remains obscure beyond the catalogued name.
Context
The subject aligns with Counter‑Reformation iconography, where the mystical union of Saint Catherine with Christ served as a model of spiritual marriage. The inclusion of a lamb, a traditional symbol of Christ’s sacrifice, and the presence of a regal figure with a staff further embed the work within contemporary devotional practices.
Artist & collection
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