3-035-865 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Saint Catherine of Alexandria and Twelve Scenes from Her Life, about 1330. This panel depicts the early Christian saint, Catherine of Alexandria, holding a book and a palm leaf of martyrdom, surrounded by a dozen scenes from her legend. A beautiful and highly intelligent young noblewoman, Catherine vowed only to marry if she found a suitor who surpassed her in every way. She was presented with an image of the Virgin and Child by an elderly hermit, who encouraged her to pray to the Virgin so that she might be granted a vision of her spouse. When she did as instructed, she had a vision of the Virgin Mary holding the Christ Child, her bridegroom. Having converted to Christianity and been baptized, Catherine was mystically married to Christ.