Title of Art: St. Catherine and St. Lucy, St. Stephen and St. Lawrence, St. John the Baptist and St. Luke, St. Peter and St. Benedict, St. James the Greater and St. Gregory
Artist: Giovanni da Milano
Art Form: Painting
Date of Composition: 1360-1365
Subjects: Catherine of Alexandria; Lucy
Ritual Pose/Object: lamp, palm frond, wheel, lamb
Exhibit Institution: Le Gallerie degli Uffizi (The Uffizi)
Exhibit Location: Florence, Italy
VM Image #: 0006
Photographer: Shala Graham
Date of Photograph: January 7, 2023
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The remaining panels of Giovanni da Milano’s altarpiece feature pairs of saints including St. Catherine and St. Lucy on far left panel. The additional panels feature St. Stephen, St. Lawrence, John the Baptist, Luke, Peter, St. Benedict, James the Greater, and St. Gregory. A series of five smaller paintings below (predella) feature from left to right virgins, martyrs, apostles, patriarchs, and prophets. These panels are all that remain of a polyptych once housed in the high altar of the church in Ognissanti, Italy.
St. Lucy and St. Catherine are featured in the far left panel of this altarpiece. Lucy can be seen in the back wearing a red dress and blue cloak, and holding a lamp which is a common symbol for the saint whose name means “light.” According to her hagiography, Lucy’s eyes were plucked out, either of her own accord to avoid the advances of a suitor, or as part of the torture she endured before her martyrdom. Catherine of Alexandria is featured in front of Lucy wearing a blue gown and orange cloak. Catherine holds a palm frond in her left hand representing her status as a martyr, and her right hand holds the top of a spiked wheel. Catherine's hagiography records that she was to be tortured on a spiked wheel, but God miraculously saved her from it.
In the lower predella, additional virgin martyrs are honored. Five distinct women can be identified, including St. Agnes who holds a lamb on the far left front row. The artist depicts rows of additional virgins behind these five, with two partial faces and golden nimbus’ echoing to the back of the painting. Between the known faces, and the rows of women behind them, the viewer is given the perspective of the multitude of virgin martyrs who have given their lives for Christ.
In the lower predella, additional virgin martyrs are honored. Five distinct women can be identified, including St. Agnes who holds a lamb on the far left front row. The artist depicts rows of additional virgins behind these five, with two partial faces and golden nimbus’ echoing to the back of the painting. Between the known faces, and the rows of women behind them, the viewer is given the perspective of the multitude of virgin martyrs who have given their lives for Christ.