Saint Genevieve of Paris holds the candle which she miraculously relit. On the brooch at her neck are the alpha and omega signs. Saint Apollonia of Alexandria's brooch shows pincers: she was tortured by having her teeth extracted.
This painting and 'Saints Christina and Ottilia' were the outsides of the shutters of 'The St Catherine Altarpiece' in Dresden. It was one of the first works Cranach painted after having entered the service of Frederick the Wise, Elector of Saxony in Wittenberg in 1505.
Key facts
Artist
Artist dates
1472 - 1553
Full title
Saints Genevieve and Apollonia
Date made
1506
Medium and support
Oil on limewood(?)
Dimensions
120.5 x 63 cm
Acquisition credit
Bought, 1987
Inventory number
NG6511.1
Location in Gallery
Other paintings in the group: The St Catherine Altarpiece: Reverses of Shutters
Painting
Lucas Cranach the Elder
1506
