Gentileschi, Artemisia. Self-Portrait as Saint Catherine of Alexandra. 1616. oil on canvas. 71.5 cm × 71 cm (28.1 in × 28 in). Located in the National Gallery, London.
Artemisia Gentileschi, an accomplished Italian Baroque female artist of the seventeenth century, portrays herself as Saint Catherine of Alexandria, a Christian saint persecuted for defending her faith. During her career, Gentileschi painted many portraits of herself in the guise of strong female characters. Scholars argue that this pattern highlights Gentileschi’s resilience and self-promotion as an artist. At the age of seventeen, Gentileschi endured a prolonged trial against her rapist, Agostino Tassi. Tassi served as Gentileschi’s mentor. Gentileschi experienced brutal physical and psychological torture as she testified. Through the disguise of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Gentileschi alludes to her strength and perseverance that she exhibited during the trial.
Gentileschi illustrates Saint Catherine of Alexandria as courageous as she faces her dark fate. Under the reign of Maxentius, he commands Saint Catherine of Alexandria to death by spiked wheel. In the portrait, her body and left hand grasps the spiked damaged wheel which symbolizes her torture and death. The saint’s right hand clasps a palm branch which signifies martyrdom. In the portrait, Gentileschi’s application of dramatic lighting is prevalent as the light illuminates the spiked wheel and the fair skin of Saint Catherine of Alexandria.
Sources:
“Artemisia Gentileschi: Self Portrait as Saint Catherine of Alexandria: NG6671: National Gallery, London.” The National Gallery, The National Gallery, www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/artemisia-gentileschi-self-portrait-as-saint-catherine-of-alexandria.
Patricia Simons, “Artemisia Gentileschi’s Susanna and the Elders (1610) in the Context of Counter-Reformation Rome,” in Artemisia Gentileschi in a Changing Light, ed. Sheila Barker (London and Turnhout: Harvey Miller Publications, 2017): 41-58.
Sherwin, Skye. “Artemisia Gentileschi’s: Self-Portrait as St Catherine of Alexandria.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 8 Mar. 2019, www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2019/mar/08/artemisia-gentileschi-self-portrait-as-st-catherine-of-alexandria-brutally-seeking-vengeance.