Memling, The Mystical Marriage of Saint Catherine, 1479,
oil on panel, 172x172cm, Bruges, Memling Museum
source : Web Gallery Of Art, via Wikicommons
Saint Catherine's crown can be seen in two ways. On the one hand, it corresponds to the crown worn by her executioner, the deposed emperor, to symbolize the Church's victory over paganism. On the other, the crown responds to a Christian symbolism: that of the bride of Christ. By refusing to marry Maximin, she preserves her purity and her status as the bride of Christ, symbolizing her conversion to Christianity. The veil she wears, called a guimpe, was worn by married women in the 13th century. Here, it serves to reinforce the symbol of Christ's bride.
The subject of St. Catherine's mystical marriage is well known and much depicted, and is also taken from the Légende Dorée.
"I have taken Christ as my betrothed; he alone is my glory and my love, and neither caresses nor torments will be able to turn me away from him". - Jacques de Voragine, La Légende Dorée.
This painting by Memling depicts the mystical marriage of St. Catherine to Christ. The infant Jesus, on the Virgin Mary's lap, places a ring on St. Catherine's finger. She is shown kneeling on her right, accompanied by her attributes: the wheel, sword and crown.