Saint Catherine c. 1506

This gilt copper relief of Saint Catherine was crafted by Francesco Marti around the turn of the 16th century. The symbols woven into this image speak volumes; Saint Catherine holds a wheel, the instrument of her martyrdom, yet it also represents the cyclical nature of life and death, a concept stretching back to ancient sun worship. Note her raised hand, a gesture we've seen echoed through the ages - from Roman orators to Byzantine Madonnas. It signifies not just speech, but divine truth being revealed. Consider the image of emperors raising their hands in triumph or condemnation. It speaks to an inherent human desire for higher wisdom and deliverance. This gesture, repeated across cultures and epochs, becomes a vessel filled with the hopes and fears of humanity, constantly shifting in meaning but forever linked to our collective yearning for divine guidance.