The artwork, titled “St. Catherine of Siena and St. Lawrence,” was created by the artist Domenico Ghirlandaio around 1490. This piece, crafted using tempera on wood, is a notable example of Early Renaissance religious painting. It is currently housed in the Alte Pinakothek in Munich, Germany.
The artwork consists of two distinct panels, each depicting a saint. On the left panel, St. Catherine of Siena is portrayed in traditional religious attire, including a nun’s habit and a cloak. She holds a wooden cross in her right hand and a closed book in her left, symbolizing her devotion and scholarly pursuits. Her serene and thoughtful expression, along with the halo encircling her head, emphasize her sanctity. The inscription above her reads, “INVICTA ANIMI VIRTUS ET VIRGINITATIS DECUS ME IN ETHERA SUBSTULELRUNT.”
The right panel features St. Lawrence, adorned in a deacon’s dalmatic, a long, wide-sleeved tunic, with a richly patterned backdrop. He is depicted holding a gridiron, the instrument of his martyrdom, in his right hand. His facial expression reflects a calm and steadfast demeanor, and like St. Catherine, he is also depicted with a halo. The inscription above him reads, “PRESSVRAM FLAMME NON TIMVI ET INMEDIO IGNIS NON SVVM ESTVATVS.”
The composition of both panels, framed by detailed decorative borders, reflects Ghirlandaio’s meticulous attention to detail and his mastery in conveying the piety and nobility of these venerable saints.
