Madonna between Saints Catherine and Barbara 1440 - 1460

This anonymous piece depicts the 'Madonna between Saints Catherine and Barbara' with ink and watercolor on paper. The composition strikes us with its symmetry and stylized forms, framed within an archway. Linear contours define each figure, complemented by flat areas of color in red, green, and gold that give the image a medieval aesthetic. The use of line and color invites us to consider the structural elements that underpin its meaning. Here, the Madonna occupies the central space, flanked by the two saints. Catherine, to the left, holds a sword near the Christ child, who in turn reaches for it. Saint Barbara, to the right, presents a tower, both attributes alluding to their legendary stories. This arrangement might be interpreted as a visual language, where each element—sword, wheel, tower—acts as a sign, contributing to the narrative. In this context, the painting’s deliberate stylization reflects a medieval paradigm, focusing on symbolic representation, rather than naturalistic depiction. This invites us to consider how the painting destabilizes conventional representations to engage with specific medieval values and worldviews.