Spanish school; second third of the XVII century.

Spanish school; second third of the XVII century.
"Saint Catherine of Siena".
Oil on canvas. Relined.
Measurements: 97 x 146 cm.
In this work the painter offers us an image full of mystical emotion, very typical of the Spanish art of the Counter-Reformation. Thus, we see a work of clear and concise composition, with the saint protagonist of full body in the foreground, highlighted by a direct illumination, tenebrist, on a background of dark tones, in whose right zone can be seen, in the distance, a landscape. As was also common at this time in the Spanish school, Saint Catherine is shown praying, kneeling with her hands open and her gaze directed towards the sky.
Born in Siena around 1347, she took a vow of virginity at the age of seven. As her mother wanted to marry her off, she shaved her head. Received into the Third Order of St. Dominic at the age of sixteen, she led an ascetic life in the convent that ruined her fragile health. She had a special devotion to St. Agnes of Montepulciano. According to legend, when Catherine visited the tomb of St. Agnes and was bending over the body of the saint to kiss her foot, the latter raised it to the height of her lips. She was glorified for having contributed to bring Pope Gregory XI from Avignon to Rome. On the occasion of the Western Schism, she sided with Urban VI. She died in Rome in 1380 and was canonized in 1461.