Title: Saint Catherine

Artist: Gregorio D'Arezzo

Title: Saint Catherine of Alexandria and Twelve Scenes from Her Life Date: About 1330 Artist: Donato and Gregorio D'Arezzo Artist Details: Italian, active 1315–about 1340 Medium: Tempera and gold leaf on panel Description According to the writings of some medieval theologians, one of painting's key purposes was to illustrate sacred texts for the largely illiterate population. This panel fulfills that aim, portraying the legend of Catherine of Alexandria in a dozen scenes. In fact, a painting of the Virgin and Child inspired Catherine's own conversion to Christianity; that event's depiction (at left) is a fitting demonstration of the instructive powers of medieval images.