Two brides for one groom: the Mystery of the picturesque plot of the mystical betrothal of Saint Catherine

Among the works of masters of the Renaissance and later periods of the history of painting, there are often those that depict the “mystical betrothal of Saint Catherine”. At the same time, the essence of what is happening may seem vague – after all, the engagement in the usual modern understanding of the canvas does not occur. It turns out that the brides in these paintings could be two different women, but the groom – always one.

Saint Catherine of Alexandria lived in Egypt in the third century ad. Before the adoption of Christianity, she was named Dorothea and was the daughter of the ruler of Alexandria. The girl was famous for her extraordinary beauty, wisdom, and spiritual qualities, and was, of course, an enviable bride, but as a bridegroom she wanted only the most worthy – the one who would surpass her in everything. Continue reading →