St. Catherine of Siena 1746

Giovanni Battista Tiepolo created this painting of Saint Catherine of Siena using oil on canvas. The oval composition immediately draws the eye to the saint’s face, which is framed by a coarse crown of thorns. The painting's formal structure is built upon a play of textures and light. The rough, naturalistic rendering of the thorns contrasts sharply with the smooth, pale skin of Catherine and the soft folds of her white habit. Notice how Tiepolo uses light to define form and evoke emotion; the subtle gradations of tone across her face highlight her upturned gaze and the delicate modeling of her features. The symbolism is overt. Catherine’s crown, the red mark on her hand and her upward gaze, all invite interpretation. The way these signifiers are arranged is an interesting insight into how Tiepolo communicated ideas about sanctity, suffering and divine communion.