Bernardino Luini “Mystical Marriage of Saint Catherine of Alexandria” Poldi Pezzoli Museum in Milan in Italy

Bernardino Luini (1475-1480 — June 1532) “Mystical Marriage of Saint Catherine of Alexandria”

Painting - Tempera on Canvas (33.8 x 57.9 cm) - 1520

Bernardino Luini, Mystical Marriage of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Poldi Pezzoli Museum in Milan in Italy

Marriage of St Catherine According to legend, Catherine of Alexandria was the daughter of King Costus, who, on his deathbed, made her promise to marry only a man superior to him.

One day, a hermit showed Catherine an image of the Madonna and Child, a revelation for the princess who asked to be baptized.

Her conversion to Christianity after seeing the image of the Virgin and Christ as a child resulted in her symbolic marriage with Christ, that is, a mystical marriage.

The interpretation of his conversion to Christianity as a mystical wedding with Christ was developed in the 16th century and spread throughout Europe, generating numerous artistic works such as the one created here by Bernardino Luini.

Princess Catherine of Alexandria was a brilliant and literate young woman and an excellent dialectician.

Marriage of St Catherine She was only eighteen when the emperor Maxentius confronted her with fifty doctors, whom she succeeded in converting very quickly; as a result, Maxentius sentenced them to death at the stake.

The emperor was impressed, however, and asked Catherine to marry him, which she refused.

Vexed and furious, Emperor Maxentius subjected her to several tortures without any result until finally succeeding in killing her by having her beheaded.

Luini's painting represents the Infant Jesus sitting on a cushion who extends his little arm supported by the Virgin so that he passes the bridal ring around Catherine's finger.

Catherine of Alexandria approaches her hand to receive the ring; she is richly dressed in accordance with her princess rank.

Marriage of St Catherine Luini beautifully paints the colours and creases of her brocade dress.

The broken wheel with its saws and spikes at Saint Catherine's feet in the lower right corner of the painting represents one of the instruments of torture used for her martyrdom that had no effect on her.

The “sfumato” created by Bernardino Luini in the style of Leonardo da Vinci allowed him to present us with beautiful faces with remarkably soft and serene features as in his other paintings.

Saint Catherine's eyes are fixed on Jesus' face while Mary looks at Jesus' hand, passing the bridal ring.

Only the look of Jesus is that of a man lost in thought; he offers us an image of his prophetic vision, as in the painting of the ascent to Calvary.

Marriage of St Catherine