DISCOVERART

Albrecht Dürer

The Martyrdom of Saint Catherine of Alexandria

c. 1497
woodcut

SEE IT IN PERSON

Not currently on view

In the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland · as of July 2026

View at clevelandart.org ↗Plan a visit ↗

Discussion

FROM THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART’S CATALOG

Saint Catherine was among the most popular virgin martyrs during this period and was particularly venerated in Dürer’s hometown of Nuremberg for her intermediary role between the faithful and God. A princess from Alexandria, Catherine was condemned to die on spiked wheels by the Roman emperor Maxentius because of her Christian faith. In answer to her prayers, God destroyed the wheels with such force that 4,000 pagans were killed. Afterward, Catherine was willingly decapitated. Dürer’s focus on Catherine’s peaceful acceptance in the midst of destruction conveys the power she derived from her chastity and unwavering faith, providing an excellent example for ordinary women to follow.

Source ↗

Be the first to share your thoughts.

Sign in to join the discussion.

Community guidelines

More by Albrecht Dürer

Salvator MundiSalvator MundiPortrait of a Woman, Said to Be Caritas Pirckheimer (1467–1532)Portrait of a Woman, Said to Be Caritas Pirckheimer (1467–15Virgin and Child with Saint AnneVirgin and Child with Saint AnneVirgin and ChildVirgin and ChildSaint Jerome and the LionSaint Jerome and the LionAdam and EveAdam and EveUlrich VarnbülerUlrich VarnbülerPortrait of Ulrich VarnbulerPortrait of Ulrich Varnbuler

More like this

The Martyrdom of Saint Catherine of AlexandriaAlbrecht Dürer — The Martyrdom of Saint Catherine of AlexandThe Martyrdom of Saint CatherineAlbrecht Dürer — The Martyrdom of Saint CatherineThe Martyrdom of St. CatherineAlbrecht Dürer — The Martyrdom of St. CatherineThe Conversion of St. PaulHans Baldung (German, 1484/85–1545) — The Conversion of St. St. George Slaying the DragonLucas Cranach (German, 1472–1553) — St. George Slaying the DSaint George Slaying the DragonLucas Cranach (German, 1472–1553) — Saint George Slaying theMartyrdom of St. MatthewLucas Cranach (German, 1472–1553) — Martyrdom of St. MatthewChrist Carrying the Cross, from The Large PassionAlbrecht Dürer — Christ Carrying the Cross, from The Large PChrist bearing the CrossAlbrecht Dürer — Christ bearing the CrossMassacre of the InnocentsAlbrecht Altdorfer — Massacre of the InnocentsThe Opening of the Fifth and Sixth Seals, from the ApocalypseAlbrecht Dürer — The Opening of the Fifth and Sixth Seals, fThe Babylonian WhoreAlbrecht Dürer — The Babylonian Whore