The Marriage of St. Catherine 1625 - 1713

Carlo Maratti created this print, "The Marriage of St. Catherine," in Rome. The piece depicts the Virgin Mary, infant Christ, and St. Catherine in an idyllic landscape, rendered with delicate lines characteristic of the Baroque period. Maratti’s Rome was still heavily influenced by the Catholic Church, who had very specific ideas around the representation of female figures. The composition reinforces the passivity often associated with women in this era. Mary, the mother, is shown as gentle and nurturing, while St. Catherine kneels submissively. Consider the implications of the "marriage" itself. Catherine's mystical marriage to Christ symbolizes devotion, but also submission to religious authority. In this context, the artwork operates within a complex web of faith, power, and gendered expectations. It invites us to reflect on how religious narratives shape our understanding of identity and our own personal values.