Self Portrait as Saint Catherine of Alexandria
Artemisia Gentileschi, c1615-1617

Artemisia Gentileschi is arguably the most celebrated female painter of early modern Europe.
Artemisia Gentileschi is arguably the most celebrated female painter of early modern Europe. She trained in Rome with her father, Orazio Gentileschi, and later lived and worked in Florence, London and Naples. 'Self Portrait as Saint Catherine of Alexandria' is closely related to her Self-Portrait as a Lute Player, dating to around 1615, when she was living in Florence.
Images of Saint Catherine were extremely popular in the city at this time, possibly due to the presence of Cosimo II de' Medici's sister, Caterina. There are very few women artists represented in the National Gallery, and this is the first work by Gentileschi to enter the collection.
More information
Title of artwork, date
Self Portrait as Saint Catherine of Alexandria, c1615-1617
Date supported
2018
Medium and material
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
71.4 × 69 cm
Grant
500000
Total cost
3600000

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