Full-size replica of Self Portrait as Saint Catherine of Alexandria by Artemisia Gentileschi
Printed on canvas with corresponding reproduction wooden frame
Created 2022
Acquired by St Catharine’s 2022
St Catharine’s has a full-size replica of a celebrated oil painting by one of the most important artists of the 17th-century: Self Portrait as Saint Catherine of Alexandria was painted by Artemisia Gentileschi (1593–1654, or later) in Florence around 1615–17 and is now owned by the National Gallery, London.
In a first for the National Gallery, the original artwork and the accompanying 17th-century frame were reproduced to an exceptionally high standard using a combination of innovative technology and traditional methods:
- Six colour proofs of increasing quality were created during the reproduction process, using a specialist flatbed printer and an X-rite Exact Spectrophotometer to capture the hue, value and chroma of the original painting’s colours.
- The National Gallery’s framing team sourced Lombard Poplar wood, which was worked with traditional moulding planes and treated with Gesso di Bologna, red bole, casein paint and gold leaf applied with traditional mordant gilding.
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The reproduction was kindly commissioned as a gift to St Catharine’s by alumnus Garrett Curran (1991, Law). It took eight months for a team of experts to create the replica, which will hang in pride of place above the altar in the St Catharine’s College Chapel, in the heart of Cambridge city centre.
Professor Sir Mark Welland (Master 2016–2023; Honorary Fellow 2023), then Master of St Catharine’s, commented at the time of the unveiling in 2022.
“St Catharine’s is honoured to accept this exquisite reproduction, which will hang in a prominent position above the altar of our Chapel. This gift is especially meaningful for us because Artemisia Gentileschi chose to present herself as our patron saint, who continues to be venerated by not only scholars but also women and girls facing violence and persecution – a cause that is close to our hearts as demonstrated by the College’s ongoing partnership with Cambridge Women’s Aid. Considering the trauma and difficulties that the artist is renowned for overcoming, we will cherish this opportunity to marvel at her rare talent and resilience some 400 years on.”
At the age of 17, Artemisia was raped by fellow artist Agostino Tassi. After a lengthy trial, at which she famously testified and endured physical torture, Tassi was convicted. In Self Portrait as Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Artemisia deliberately chose to use her own likeness and is seen leaning on a broken wheel that was used as an instrument of the saint’s torture. Foreshadowing the saint’s martyrdom, a palm front is held as if it were a paintbrush, further emphasising the connection between the painter and her subject.
Dr Gabriele Finaldi, Director of the National Gallery, added, “Since we acquired Self Portrait as Saint Catherine of Alexandria, we have been eager to share this extraordinary work of art with a broader audience at the National Gallery itself and other locations through loans and tours. We were delighted to be approached to help create this first-of-its-kind replica for the enjoyment of the St Catharine’s community in Cambridge – it is clear that the College shares our high regard for the original artwork, and it has proven to be a hugely supportive partner over the last eight months."
Gyr King, co-founder of King & McGaw, said, “Being entrusted with creating as perfect a replica as possible of this seminal painting was an experience that we found exciting and challenging. The look and feel of the original painting at the National Gallery required sensitive adjustment and balance between digital science and human interpretation. We hope that the final result reflects this, as we have strived to engender similar emotions that a viewer would feel when viewing the original. We have very much appreciated the help, understanding and enthusiasm of all concerned during the creative process.”
The College’s collection includes other representations of its patron saint, but none as celebrated as the original oil painting by Artemisia Gentileschi. The new replica replaced a smaller oil painting of a portrait of the saint by an unknown artist (traced to the North of Italy, to about 1700), which was moved from its position above the altar in the Chapel to the College’s Senior Common Room, a popular space for meetings and external events.
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Read the new eight-page booklet ‘Reproducing a masterpiece’ produced by St Catharine’s to celebrate this gift. View and download the booklet.
