THE SWORD EXECUTION ANTIQUE RARE BAROQUE OIL PAINTING ON CANVAS ABOUT 1700
Size without frame 64,5 x 83 cm (25,39 x 32,67 inches) and with frame 105 x 83 cm (41,33 x 32,67 inches)
Baroque depiction of Catherine of Alexandria, one of the four so-called Virgines capitales and the group of 14 Holy Helpers.
The legend tells of Katharina the daughter of the pagan king Costus who confessed to Christianity at an early age and consecrated her life as the Virgin Jesus Christ, she according to tradition, Emperor Maxentius bravely opposed the persecution of Christians and converted numerous pagans from this environment to Christianity, whereupon Katharina was to be executed after cruel torture with the bike - shown on the left gets executed. As indicated in the present painting, at Katharina's prayers the wheel was destroyed with divine help - symbolized here as lightning - thereupon Katharina waiting for her fate in silent prayer was beheaded with the sword. In the right foreground a young woman with child points to the tragedy the scene and presents the saint as the protector of girls, virgins and wives.
