The Martyrdom of St. Catherine
around 1505/10, Artist: Albrecht Altdorfer
The Martyrdom of St. Catherine
According to legend, St. Catherine of Alexandria, who was of noble birth and educated in the sciences, persuaded 50 pagan scholars to convert to Christianity. Because of the saint’s steadfast faith, Emperor Maximinus ordered her to be put to death on the wheel. But an angel came and destroyed the instrument with such violence that it killed four thousand pagans. Finally, the emperor ordered her to be beheaded. This painting is considered to be Altdorfer’s earliest extant work.
Object data
Object Name
Painting
Culture
German
Dated
around 1505/10
Artist
Albrecht Altdorfer (um 1480 - 1538 Regensburg) - GND
Material
Limewood
Dimensions
Overall: 57 cm × 36,5 cm
Framed: 69,5 cm × 49,5 cm × 3,5 cm
Image rights
Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, Gemäldegalerie
Inv. No.
Gemäldegalerie, 6426
Provenance
Until 1921 Stift Wilten near Innsbruck; 1923 purchased from Eduard Hulton, London;
Permalink (citable Link) to this page: www.khm.at/en/object/47/
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