Raphael, 'Saint Catherine of Alexandria', about 1507-8. London, The National Gallery.

Saints: Saint Catherine of Alexandria

The story of Catherine of Alexandria is told in the 'Golden Legend'. She was supposed to have been a Christian convert of noble birth who was married to the Infant Christ, in a vision.

The Roman emperor Maxentius desired her and tried to persuade her to abandon her faith. When he failed he sent 50 philosophers to try instead, but she converted them to Christianity by her argument.

Maxentius had the philosophers executed and then tried to have Catherine tortured by binding her to four spiked wheels. These were destroyed by a miraculous thunderbolt before Catherine was harmed, but she was eventually beheaded with a sword.

Her attribute is a wheel and it is usually included in paintings of her, either whole or broken. Her other attributes are the sword with which she was executed, the martyr's palm and the ring representing her marriage to Christ. She may wear a crown, alluding to her royal birth, or she may be depicted holding a book.

Her cult began in the 9th century on Mount Sinai, where her body was supposed to have been transported by angels.

The 'Catherine Wheel' firework is named after her, because it resembles the wheel of her martyrdom.

See Also

• Parmigianino, 'The Mystic Marriage of Saint Catherine'
• Stephan Lochner, 'Saints Matthew, Catherine of Alexandria and John the Evangelist'
• Netherlandish, 'The Virgin and Child with Saints and Angels in a Garden'

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