Artwork
Mystic marriage of Saint Catherine of Alexandria
Mystic marriage of Saint Catherine of Alexandria is an unspecified painting by the Mannerist artist Paolo Veronese. It dates from 1565 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1565, the painting titled *Mystic Marriage of Saint Catherine of Alexandria* presents a tranquil gathering of five figures centered on a kneeling woman and an infant Christ. The composition is set against a modest landscape with a solitary tree, lending depth to the scene. Currently, the work is part of the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst in Copenhagen.
Subject & Meaning
The work illustrates the legendary mystic marriage in which Saint Catherine of Alexandria receives a symbolic betrothal to the Christ Child, a theme promoted during the Counter‑Reformation to emphasize personal devotion. The central kneeling figure represents the saint, while the infant, cradled by a seated woman, signifies Christ offering spiritual union.
Technique & Style
Executed in the Mannerist manner characteristic of mid‑16th‑century Venice, the painting employs a rich, luminous palette and a slightly exaggerated spatial arrangement. Veronese’s handling of light creates a gentle glow on the figures, while the elongated poses and elegant drapery reflect the period’s taste for refined, theatrical presentation.
History & Provenance
Paolo Veronese, a leading Venetian painter noted for large religious and mythological canvases, produced this work as part of his series of Counter‑Reformation commissions. After remaining in private collections for several centuries, it entered the Statens Museum for Kunst, where it has been displayed as part of the museum’s European Baroque holdings.
Artist & collection
Artist
Paolo Caliari (1528 – 19 April 1588), known as Paolo Veronese ( VERR-ə-NAY-zay, -zee, US also -see; Italian: ), was an Italian Renaissance painter based in Venice, known for extremely large history paintings of…
