On the Side of the Angels part 6: Pintoricchio
Another in a series of observations of early medieval paintings in the National Gallery London, an endless source of inspiration and amusement. Intended to show how I find stories in a painting, not my opinion of the subject matter nor its creator. Nothing replaces seeing the real thing!
Saint Catherine of Alexandria with a Donor 1480-1500, Pintoricchio 1454-1513
Her wheel is broken.
She rests the upright sword easily by its pommel on the rim, her hair is slightly disordered, as though she’s just got out of bed – despite the crown.
She doesn’t look impressed with the fat friar, who might be a Borgia. She tucks the border of the robe, and the book, into the crook of her arm, getting ready for something.
He is smirking, embarrassed into a fit of giggles – perhaps he has just farted.
© Cherry Potts 2013
