The Mystic marriage of St. Catherine 1520 - 1582

Giorgio Ghisi created "The Mystic Marriage of Saint Catherine" in the 16th century using engraving. The image speaks to the period’s religious devotion, but also its patriarchal structures, framing female identity through marriage, even in a spiritual context. Consider Saint Catherine, embraced by the Virgin Mary and betrothed to the infant Christ, in this intimate portrayal of religious ecstasy. The imagery reflects not only the period's emphasis on religious themes, but also the deeply embedded societal norms around marriage and female identity. Catherine's mystical union symbolizes a spiritual alignment, yet it's staged within a framework that echoes earthly, patriarchal conventions. This engraving invites us to reflect on the complex interplay between spiritual devotion and the gendered expectations of the time, urging us to question how these historical representations shape our understanding of holiness, identity, and the narratives we construct around them.