Panel - Wood - Saint Catherine - 35 cm

Beautiful wooden panel featuring the image of Saint Catherine of Alexandria with her Wheel.
Wooden panel from an altar in a Belgian monastery.
In good condition as shown in the photo.
Rear-mounted with a hook for hanging.

Object is carefully packed and shipped.

Catharine of Alexandria, or 'Saint Catherine, the Great Martyr' (died November 25, 307) is among the most popular saints of the Middle Ages. Her name is derived from the Greek word katharós (καθαρός) meaning 'pure' or 'clean'. Throughout history her original Greek biography (circa the 6th century) has become highly interwoven with folk tales and new legends; only on the basis of the most original texts can something reliable be said about her life.

Catharina is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers. She is invoked as a protector against the plague and for the preservation of chastity. She is also sometimes seen as the protector during childbirth.

Legend
Catharina, according to the oldest tradition, came from a glorious patrician lineage and was the daughter of Costus, the governor of Alexandria. She knew all of Plato's works by heart when she was only fifteen. She was devoted to Jesus with heart and soul, and promised him her virginity. Hardly had she done so when Emperor Maxentius fell in love with her. On her refusal to become the second lady at his court after his wife, he tried to force her to renounce her faith under threat of gruesome torture. He also sent forty pagan philosophers to confront her to convert her, but instead of Catharina being converted to paganism, the scholars were converted to Christianity during the discussion with Catharina. Thereupon the emperor wished to crush her with a wheel fitted with sharp iron points. Instead of Catharina, the wheel broke, struck by lightning. He wanted to burn her, but the fire blew apart and burned the executioners. Ultimately, they did manage to behead her. From her neck wound flowed milk that freed the city from the plague. Her body was carried by angels to Mount Sinai, where it was found again by pilgrims around the year 800. It was still in good condition. The Katharina Monastery was later built beside the mountain.