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Posted On: January 10th 2026, 03:41 pm
Artemisia Gentileschi
Self Portrait as Saint Catherine of Alexandria (made 1615-17).
Currently in love with this painting (on display in the National Gallery in London).
Artemisia Gentileschi, born in Rome in 1593, is one of the most celebrated female painters of the 17th century.
Catherine of Alexandria was a Christian Saint martyred in the 4th century when she was around 18 years old by the ruling Roman Emperor Maxentius. She was sentenced to death by Breaking Wheel, a spiked wooden wheel used as an instrument of torture and execution from the Middle Ages until the 19th century. This spiked wheel 🛞 can be seen in the painting by Gentileschi, who herself was tortured at the age of 17.
Legend has it that on being touched by Catherine of Alexandria, the Breaking Wheel shattered into pieces, so she was beheaded instead. This is where the phrase 'Catherine Wheel' originated. According to the legend, instead of blood, a milk like substance flowed from Catherine's wounds.
Look this up to find out more, I'm paraphrasing from Wikipedia and various gallery and art websites. It's amazing what a rabbit hole one painting can send you down 🐇 🕳️ ❤️
Self Portrait as Saint Catherine of Alexandria (made 1615-17).
Currently in love with this painting (on display in the National Gallery in London).
Artemisia Gentileschi, born in Rome in 1593, is one of the most celebrated female painters of the 17th century.
Catherine of Alexandria was a Christian Saint martyred in the 4th century when she was around 18 years old by the ruling Roman Emperor Maxentius. She was sentenced to death by Breaking Wheel, a spiked wooden wheel used as an instrument of torture and execution from the Middle Ages until the 19th century. This spiked wheel 🛞 can be seen in the painting by Gentileschi, who herself was tortured at the age of 17.
Legend has it that on being touched by Catherine of Alexandria, the Breaking Wheel shattered into pieces, so she was beheaded instead. This is where the phrase 'Catherine Wheel' originated. According to the legend, instead of blood, a milk like substance flowed from Catherine's wounds.
Look this up to find out more, I'm paraphrasing from Wikipedia and various gallery and art websites. It's amazing what a rabbit hole one painting can send you down 🐇 🕳️ ❤️
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