print
- Museum number
- E,3.163
- Description
-
St Catherine; whole-length figure in contemporary dress, seated on a backless chair facing right; the sword leaning against the chair, the broken wheel in foreground; landscape background. c.1505-7
Woodcut
- Production date
- 1505-1507 (circa)
- Dimensions
-
Height: 236 millimetres
-
Width: 160 millimetres
- $Inscriptions
-
- Curator's comments
- See K. Parker, 'Early German woodcuts in the BM', MS notes, 2 vols, vol. 2, p.49.
Also Matthias Mende, 'Hans Baldung Grien. Das graphische Werk', Unterschneidheim 1978, no.12;
Baldung possibly intended this print to form a triptych or a small portable altar with two other prints, St Barbara and the Virgin and Child. The imposing and dignified St Catherine is shown holding a book, a symbol of her erudition that contrasts with the sword by her side and the wheel below – instruments of her martyrdom. The AD monogram in the upper right refers to Albrecht Dürer. It is possible that Baldung left some woodblocks in Dürer's studio and the master or perhaps Dürer's widow sanctioned the use of the monogram as a sign that they were authorised productions of the Dürer workshop, thereby increasing their market value. From M. McDonald, 'Ferdinand Columbus: Renaissance Collector'. London, BM. 2005, n.49.
Watermark: shield with grapes and letter M: image attached.
For another impression, see E,2.296.
- Location
- Not on display
- Exhibition history
-
2004 Jun-July, Madrid, 'LaCaixa', Ferdinand Columbus
2004 Oct-Dec, Seville, Salon Alto del Apeadero, Ferdinand Columbus
- Acquisition date
- 1753
- Department
- Prints and Drawings
- Registration number
- E,3.163