SCULPTURE

St. CATHERINE
25th November
*3rd century in Alexandria - circa 305
Virgin and martyr, patron saint of scholars and other professions and states

P708
výška - 41cm
šírka - 30cm
Cena: 415€

The myths and history of her life

St Catherine was the daughter of King Costus. Gaining an advanced education in philosophy, she was converted to Christianity by a hermit who baptized her. He presented her with a painting of the Virgin Mary and Infant Jesus to which she would pray. One day the infant Jesus turned to her and gave her an engagement ring. From then on she considered herself to be the bride of Christ. St Catherine asked the Emperor Maxentius to stop Baalism and the persecution of Christians. Unable to argue against her highly developed philosophy, the emperor sent for 50 scholars and sages to contest her beliefs. However, quite the contrary, they were inspired by Catherine and accepted Christianity. The furious Emperor had them burned at the stake in the centre of the town. Catherine herself was imprisoned with nothing to eat. She was brought food by a white dove sent by Jesus.

The Empress and the emperor’s officer, Porfyrius, noticed a bright light shine above the prison and saw the angels nursing Catherine’s wounds. They also converted to Christianity and the Emperor too had them executed.  In time the Emperor decided to make Catherine an Empress but when she replied she was the bride of Christ, the emperor ordered her execution. Her body was to be torn apart by a wheel with radiating knives and spikes. A wish by Catherine and the spiked wheel was destroyed by an angel. She was subsequently tortured and finally beheaded. Milk flowed out of her body instead of blood.

Angles brought Catherine’s body to Mount Sinai where they buried her.
After the crusades the veneration of St. Catherine spread to Europe.
Along with the Virgin Mary she became the most worshipped female saint during the Middle Ages.

Iconography
She is portrayed with a crown in a tunic and cloak, or in period clothing with elements of the cross, stigmata, a book and sword.

Individual elements

1. Broken Wheel
2. Emperor Maxentius at her feet

Basic representations of her life

1. Birth of Catherine
2. Hermit presenting her with the painting of Madonna or Holy Family
3. Mystical engagement of St Catherine
4. Dispute with scholars
5. Burning the scholars at the stake
6. Breaking St Catherine on a Wheel
7. Other ways of torturing St Catherine
8. Decapitation of St Catherine
9. Angels taking her body to Mount Sinai

Peter & Pavol Vozárik
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Trenčín,  911 01   Slovakia

Tel.: +421 902 322 927
Email: peter.vozarik@gmail.com