Christ on the Cross with Saint Catherine of Siena, Saint Dominic and an Angel 1622 - 1627

Anthony van Dyck created this oil on canvas, "Christ on the Cross with Saint Catherine of Siena, Saint Dominic and an Angel," sometime in the 17th century. Van Dyck was Flemish, and the religious intensity of this image reflects the Counter-Reformation. By visually associating these particular saints with Christ, van Dyck upholds the authority of the Church. Catherine of Siena was known for her mystical experiences, while Saint Dominic founded the Dominican order, famed for its intellectual rigor. This canvas uses specific imagery to reinforce the social and religious norms of its time, pushing back against rising Protestantism. Art historians can use sources such as theological tracts and biographies of the saints to more fully understand the painting's cultural references and its role within the religious debates of its time. Religious art provides a fascinating window into the power of institutions and their influence on artistic production.