De Heilige Catharina c. 1450

This drawing of Saint Catherine was made by the Master of Flémalle, active in the early 15th century in the region now known as Belgium. The image presents us with a study of both religious iconography and social status. The subject, Saint Catherine, was often portrayed as a learned noblewoman whose wisdom led to her conversion of others to Christianity. Here, she is shown with the wheel of her martyrdom, and with a book, signifiers of her identity and a testament to the power of knowledge in the religious and social context of the time. Flemish art of this period was characterized by its attention to detail and realism, reflecting a growing merchant class who demanded truthful depictions. The drawing's linear precision suggests the influence of emerging printmaking technologies. The image speaks to the power of the church, the importance of education, and the rise of mercantile wealth in the early Renaissance. Further research into the patronage of the Master of Flémalle and the religious environment of the time could tell us much more about the social function this image served.