Hans Memling, Triptych of the Mystical
Marriage of Saint Catherine
Circa 1479
Oil on wood, 173.6 x
331.5 cm
Hospital Saint-Jean,
Bruges
John the Baptist stands behind Catherine in the central image and his
beheading is shown in the left panel.
"Memling followed tradition
in taking his subjects from the Bible and the lives of the saints. He
borrowed
many of his figures and compositions from Van der Weyden. . . .
The
figures are given pure simple forms, using weak contrasts of light and
shade to define outlines and suggest volume. Memling often arranges
them
geometrically, as for instance in the Triptych of the Mystical Marriage
of Saint Catherine (Triptych of St John the Baptist and St John the
Evangelist).
The central
panel depicts the Mystical Marriage of Saint Catherine, the left
panel the Beheading of St. John the Baptist, while the right panel
St. John the Evangelist
at Patmos."
--
Web Gallery
of Art
More of St.
Catherine of Alexandria
More of St.
John the Baptist
More of St.
John the Evangelist
More of St.
Barbara
More of St.
Cecilia
Photo: Web Gallery
of Art