Saints Catherine, Margaret, and Barbara
Artist: Lucas Cranach the Elder (German, 1472-1553)
Date: about 1515-1520
Dimensions:
H: 48 1/2 in. (123.2 cm); W: 22 in. (55.8 cm)
Medium: oil on wood panel
Classification: Paintings
Credit Line: Purchased with funds from the Florence Scott Libbey Bequest in Memory of her Father, Maurice A. Scott
Object number: 1961.32
Label Text:How did 16th-century viewers of this panel know which of these saints was which? Martyred Christian saints were depicted with identifying objects (attributes) usually associated with their death. These attributes were well known to Medieval and Renaissance audiences. The wheel and sword identify Catherine of Alexandria, who was tortured on spiked wheels before being beheaded. Margaret, reading a prayer book, was tortured with fire. Barbara’s identity may have been less clear. She holds the chalice and wafer used for Catholic Holy Communion instead of her more common attribute, the tower in which she was imprisoned. To help the viewer, part of her name is embroidered on the neckline of her dress (the meaning of the initials on Catherine’s dress remains mysterious).
On view
In Collection(s)