The Virgin and Child with Saints 1490

Painted by Ambrogio Bergognone, this altarpiece depicts the Virgin and Child enthroned between Saint Catherine of Alexandria and Saint Catherine of Siena. Note the wheel at Saint Catherine of Alexandria's feet: an instrument of torture symbolizing her martyrdom. From pagan sun-wheels to medieval rose windows, the wheel motif recurs across cultures, embodying cycles of life and death, destruction and redemption. Similarly, the lilies held by Saint Catherine of Siena are ancient symbols of purity. The emotional power of these figures lies in their serene composure. Like figures in classical sculptures, they are simultaneously present and distant, inviting contemplation. The gestures, especially the delicate touch between the Virgin and the saints, express a subtle emotional exchange, reflecting a collective desire for connection and solace. These symbols and gestures are not static; they evolve, resurface, and are imbued with new meanings. Like memories, they shift and transform, yet they remain deeply embedded in our cultural and psychological landscape.