Simon Vouet [Saint Catherine] 1615–1620

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◧ Artist: Simon Vouet (1590-1649) 
◧ Country: France
◧ Title: [Saint Catherine]     
◧ Medium: Oil on canvas
◧ Painting Size: 98.7 × 74.2 cm

◧ Museum: Slovak National Gallery, Bratislava
◧ County of Stamp Issue: Slovakia
◧ Date of Issue: November 28, 2003
◧ Face Value: 14 SK


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It is known that the work of the important French painter Simon Vouet during his stay in Rome (1613 - 1627) was significantly marked by the Caravaggio orientation. It manifested itself mainly in the reflective lighting of the scene and the compositional solution based on a neutral background, suppressing the illusory space. The style of the great master was conveyed to him by Roman caravaggists, including Orazio Gentileschi and his daughter Artemisia.

In this stylistic view, he also painted the Bratislava Sv. Catherine - in front of a dark background, with the exclusion of all side elements, so that nothing disturbs the charm and nobility of the saint. Only a few easily thrown tufts indicate that he is sitting on a rock and leaning on his classic martyr attributes - a broken wheel, a sword and a palm tree. According to the Legend of Aurea Jacob de Voragine St. As a Christian, Catherine refused to sacrifice to an ancient god, so she was sentenced to death. Since God had broken the wheel with the knives that were to cut it and tear it to pieces, at her request, her martyrdom was cut off.(excerpt from the painting description at Slovak National Gallery, Bratislava)
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