Virgin and Child with Saint Jerome and Saint Catherine of Alexandria
By Carolino da Viterbo, c. 1450
Curatorial Notes
In his right hand, the Christ child grasps a stem of roses. The beauty and fragrance of roses symbolize heaven, while their thorny stems allude to the crown of thorns and Christ's suffering. The bird he holds in his left hand symbolizes the human soul. The elaborate haloes with Latin inscriptions identify the figures and help organize the composition. The names of Christ, Saint Jerome, and Saint Catherine of Alexandria appear in abbreviated form. The Madonna's halo proclaims her worthiness to bear the Son of God: "Hail, full of grace," while the inscription at the top is one of her most popular titles: "Merciful Mother."
Artwork Identification
Title Virgin and Child with Saint Jerome and Saint Catherine of Alexandria
Title (PT) Virgem e Menino com São Jerônimo e Santa Catarina de Alexandria
Title (ES) Virgen y Niño con San Jerónimo y Santa Catalina de Alejandría
Artist Carolino da Viterbo
Artist Bio Carolino da Viterbo (Italian)
Date c. 1450
Work Type Painting
Location & Collection
Institution Cleveland Museum of Art
Source View Museum Page
License Creative Commons Public Domain Mark 1.0
