St. Catherine of Alexandria

St. Catherine of Alexandria

Round portrait panel painting of St. Catherine of Alexandria. Her right hand rests on a wheel, referring to her death. She holds the palm of martyrdom in her left hand. According to Hopkinson family tradition, this unsigned, late Renaissance painting of St. Catherine of Alexandria was given to Mrs. Joseph Hopkinson by Joseph Bonaparte prior to his departure from "Point Breeze." It descended to Miss Emily G. Hopkinson from whom the donor acquired it for presentation to the Athenæum. During the early 19th century such "primitive" works were popular with collectors such as Joseph Bonaparte's uncle, Cardinal Fesch, from whom Joseph acquired several of his paintings.

14.75" H x 15" W, round / oval

Oil on wood panel

Gift of Constance A. Jones

Bonaparte Collection, The Athenaeum of Philadelphia

1981.03.01

17th - 18th century