Artwork
Elevação do corpo de Santa Catarina de Alexandria

Elevação do corpo de Santa Catarina de Alexandria is an unspecified painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Unknown. It dates from 1525 and is held in the collection of the National Museum of Ancient Art.
About this work
Overview
Elevação do corpo de Santa Catarina de Alexandria is a painting portraying a serene and tranquil scene of the elevation of Saint Catherine of Alexandria's body, conveyed through a harmonious balance of figural and landscape elements.
Subject & Meaning
The subject centers on Saint Catherine of Alexandria being gently carried by angels, symbolizing her martyrdom and heavenly ascent. Her attire—a golden gown and white cloak—emphasizes purity and sanctity, contrasted with the angels' multicolored robes, signifying celestial joy.
Technique & Style
The painting features a distinctive use of color, with a predominantly blue sky, vibrant angelic robes (in yellow, pink, and green), and earthly tones in the landscape, creating a sense of depth and serenity. The composition blends Baroque sensibility with a calm, almost serene, execution.
Context
Set against a backdrop of distant mountains and trees, with a foreground of rolling hills, trees, and a castle, the landscape may allude to a sacred or mystical location, possibly referencing the traditional account of Saint Catherine's body being transported to Mount Sinai.
Legacy
While specific legacy details of this particular work are not provided, paintings of Saint Catherine's elevation often played a significant role in devotional practices and the artistic canon of religious themes during the Baroque period.
Artist & collection



















