Marriage of Saint Catherine 1599

Curator: Before us is Raphael Sadeler the Elder’s engraving, "Marriage of Saint Catherine," held here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It feels very serene, almost dreamlike, with all that soft light and delicate linework. It’s like a beautiful, antique photograph, you know? Curator: Notice how the composition relies on a pyramidal structure, anchoring our eye with the figures, and how the textures are built up through meticulous cross-hatching. Editor: I'm drawn to the expressions—that gentle gaze between the Virgin and Saint Catherine is so full of tenderness. Curator: Indeed. The symbolism here points to spiritual devotion and purity, virtues highly regarded during the period. Editor: Looking at it now, I'm seeing the deep connection between these women. The composition really creates that sense of intimacy. Curator: Yes, Sadeler masterfully used the graphic language of his time to visualize a very specific theological concept. Editor: I guess it goes to show how different approaches can illuminate unexpected facets of a single work.