It alludes to the martyrdom of the two saints. Catherine was tortured on a wheel, & beheaded. Hippolytus, the gaoler of Saint Lawrence (who converted him), was dragged by wild horses. The work is said to have been commissioned by Canon Conte Tomaso Caprioli, but was probably painted after his death in 1538. ...

The Infant Baptist, wearing a camel skin, appears behind the Virgin Mary & the child Jesus. This is likely to be a work of the second half of the 16th century by a Florentine artist who had revived Pontormo's style. ...

There are several versions of this design which may date from the period when Catena & Giorgione were in partnership around 1506. Although the painting is damaged, some areas are still in relatively good condition, such as the Virgin's blue mantle, paint ...

This painting appears to be a variant of another composition in the Hermitage, St Petersburg, which repeats the group shown here but

Includes:: the figure of Saint Catherine. A copy of the St Petersburg picture is in the Royal Collection, Windsor.

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The Virgin is shown wearing a crown of twelve stars, with the moon at her feet. This image of her recalls the Woman of the Apocalypse, as described in chapter 12 of the Book of Revelation, the last book of the New Testament. The Book of Revelation sets out Saint John's vision of the end of the world & the establishment of Christ's kingdom on earth. John sees the Woman of the Apocalypse, clothed with the sun & wearing a crown of twelve stars, persecuted by a dragon. The Woman gives birth to a male child, who is carried to heaven by angels before the dragon can devour him. The saviour's return to earth results in the defeat of the dragon, giving way to a millennium of peace. The Woman of the Apocalypse & chapter 12 of the Book of Revelation are often associated with the Virgin Mary & the Second Coming of Christ. Here the Virgin is shown before a golden disc representing divine light, recalling the description of the Woman of the Apocalypse as 'clothed with the sun'. This is the earliest painting on canvas in the collection. It has been much damaged & repainted in the past. ...

The subject is an unusual one of the Virgin dressing the Christ Child. The jacket into which he has put one arm has been made by the Virgin; wool of the same colour is in the basket beside her. Saint Joseph is busy with his carpentry in the background. Th ...

Create your own bespoke print of Raphael’s The Madonna of the Pinks (' La Madonna dei Garofani') from our collection. About this painting The Madonna of the Pinks (' La Madonna dei Garofani'), about 1506-7 © The National Gallery, London This painting joined our collection in 2004 With our custom print service, you can order your own fully customised reproduction from the National Gallery Collection & exhibitions. Choose your own size, print material & frames & have your masterpiece delivered straight to your door. ...

The figures on the jar the Magdalen holds may be Cain & Abel. The rocks in the background represent La Sainte-Baume in Provence, where she is said to have spent many years in penitence. This painting has in the past been ascribed to the Master of 1518.O ...

Mary Magdelene holds the pot of ointment with which she annointed Christ's feet. In her penitence in the wilderness she has abandoned all her jewels & finery & her hair is in disarray. Probably a relatively early work by Correggio, but not in good cond ...

The Magdalen holds a jar of the balm with which she anointed Christ's body. The saint was once held to be the portrait of a lady, but this is unlikely. Several versions of this composition exist; in some the figure has a halo. This picture was probably pa ...