Saint Catherine c. 19th century

Curator: Let's consider this image of Saint Catherine by George Jakob Felsing, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It looks like a Renaissance fever dream, all soft edges and heavenly transport. Kind of makes you wonder where they're headed, doesn't it? Curator: Indeed, its allegorical elements warrant a closer look. We need to consider the context surrounding depictions of female saints and their roles in religious and social hierarchies. The sword carried by the figure is an iconographic symbol of martyrdom, linking her identity to persecution. Editor: I just keep coming back to the flight. It's like a winged Uber whisking her away, or perhaps it's her own spirit soaring free. It makes me think about how we all carry our stories with us, even when we're trying to escape. Curator: Precisely. Recognizing these layered narratives offers critical insight into the ongoing struggle for representation and agency. Editor: Maybe art is just a series of beautiful escapes and poignant arrivals, after all.