Saint Catherine And Saint John, Two Polyptych Wings, Flemish School, 16th Century

Saint Catherine and Saint John, Two Polyptych Wings, Flemish School, 16th Century

Saint Catherine of Alexandria and Saint John the Evangelist

Flemish School
16th century

Two panels originally forming the lateral wings of a polyptych.

Oil on oak panel
Saint John: 67 × 19.5 cm
Saint Catherine: 67 × 21 cm

Fine pair of panels depicting Saint Catherine of Alexandria and Saint John the Evangelist. The saint holds the chalice with the serpent, referring to the poisoned drink rendered harmless by the sign of the Cross. Saint Catherine appears crowned, with book and spiked wheel beside her, according to her traditional iconography as learned princess and Christian martyr.

Executed on oak panels, in keeping with Flemish and Northern practice, the works nevertheless reveal knowledge of models from Northern Italy. The draperies with deep shadows, sharp folds and sculptural presence of the figures suggest an interesting meeting of Flemish culture with Lombard or Padan influences.

The elongated proportions, open landscape and overall structure of the panels retain, however, a distinctly Northern character. By format and function, these elements originally belonged to a larger ensemble, most likely as the side wings of an altarpiece.

On the reverse, the panels retain traces of an old cradling system, a treatment now largely abandoned by restorers because it tended to confine the wood within an overly rigid structure. During an earlier restoration, the panels were most likely thinned in order to reduce natural warping and curvature. This intervention altered the thickness of the support, without affecting the good state of preservation of the painted surface.

Good condition, with age marks consistent with period.