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Painting Analysis at the National Gallery of Canada

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Painting Analysis at the National Gallery of Canada
Painting Analysis at the National Gallery of Canada
HIS 4001: History of Art II
By: Gill Collens 2/14/2013 Professor: Ncole Sammut

Simone Martini, St. Catherine of Alexandria, ca. 1322–23, tempera on wood panel, 83.2 × 43.5 cm, 32 3/4 × 17 1/8 in., (with frame). Collection of the National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, inv. no. 6430

Contents
Table of contents……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………............1 Essay……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….………2-5 Works Cited .............................................................................................................................................. ....................... 6 Appendix…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………7-8

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On a recent field trip to the National Art Gallery in Ottawa, as a class, we looked at some paintings. The painting that stood out to me was Simone Martini’s painting titled St. Catherine of Alexandria. We have been studying the Renaissance period and this one was identifiable instantly. For our class assignment, we are required to identify the time period or style the painting might belong to, identify its stylistic features, the date it was created, the artist, mediums used, as well as the significance of its subject matter and its importance in the exhibition. By studying Simone Martini’s painting of St. Catherine of Alexandria I was able to compare it with some of the images seen in class, and from Janson’s History of Art textbook. When I first looked at Simone Martini painting of St. Catherine of Alexandria, I noticed many things. I noticed how her face gesture, the position of the subjects head, and arm size hinted naturalism; however, the proportions are not yet perfected. The subject is also being identified through the broach she is wearing around her neck, which is a wheel indicating she is St. Catherine of Alexandria. I noticed the subject has a gold halo and seems to be in a narrative; these techniques are seen in



Cited: Simone, Martini, Annunciation. ca. 1330. Tempra on panel, (3 x 2.7m). Galleria delgi Uffizi, Florence Andrea Mantegna Michelangelo, David. ca. 1501-1504. Marble, Height 13’5”. Galleria dell 'Accademia, Florence 8|Page

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