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Catherine of Alexandria (Kornaros)

Catherine of Alexandria is a tempera painting created by Ioannis Kornaros. Kornaros was probably a monk in Crete during the period the Ottoman Empire occupied it from (1667–1898). He was a student of Georgios Kastrofylakas, and both painters were influenced by the late Cretan School. There were some painters residing in Crete after the Ottoman occupation, including Michael Prevelis. Oriental themes influenced some of Kastrofylakas' works. Both artists were part of the Greek Neoclassical era and the Modern Greek Enlightenment in art. One of Kornaros' most notable works is a painting entitled Great Art Thou . The painter was active in Crete, Mount Sinai, and Cyprus. He died the same year the Greek War of Independence began. According to the Institute of Neohellenic Research, forty-eight of his paintings have survived.

Description
The materials used were egg tempera paint on gold leaf and wood panel. The height is 23.8 in (60.4 cm) and the width: 16.1 in (40.8 cm). The work of art was completed sometime between 1760 - 1821. Kornaros, like his contemporaries, emulates the prototype of Catherine of Alexandria created by Ieremias Palladas. Typical elements are present, such as the martyr's palm, spiked wheel, astrolabe, crucifix with Jesus and books. Saint Catherine sits on a throne wearing a dress inlaid with floral elements typical of the 18th century. She is wearing a cape-like Pellegrina which is draped over her dress. It follows the traditional Greek, Italian Byzantine style where the stole is draped over her left shoulder and also features two eagles. The work features elements of Venetian painting and blends the Cretan style. The figure of Catherine is a youthful young girl who escapes the typical representation of other Cretan painters who depict the subject as an older woman. The inscription reads: ΙΩΑΝΝΗΣ, ΚΕΚΛΗΜΑΙ ΤΗ ΘΕΙΑ ΝΕΥ ΣΕΙ ΠΟΘΩ ΔΕ ΔΙΗΓΕΡΜΑΙ ΤΟΥ ΩΡΑΪΣΑΙ/ ΤΟ [...];" ΠΑΝ ΣΕΠΤΟΝ ΤΑΥ ΤΗΝ ΕΙΚΟΝΑ / [...] ΤΗΣ ΠΑΡΘΕΝΟΜΑΡΤΥΡΟΣ ΑΙΚΑΤΕΡΙΝΑΣ (I, JOHN, CALL ON THEE THE NEW GOD, I WISH, I WAS NOT AWARE OF THE BEAUTY/ THE [...];" EVERY DIVINITY OF THIS IMAGE/ [...] OF THE VIRGIN-MARTYR EKATERINA). ==Gallery==
Gallery
File:Saint Catherine iconostasis Mount Sinai.png|Saint Catherine by Ieremias Palladas, c. 1612 File:Saint Catherine's Engagement (close up).png|Saint Catherine's Engagement by Georgios Klontzas, c. 1560-1608 Youthful Catherines File:Imitatore di cranach il vecchio, santa caterina d'alessandria, xvi secolo circa b.jpg|Portrait of Youthful Saint Catherine by Lucas Cranach the Elder, c. 1500-1553 File:Saint Catherine by Guido Reni.jpg|Saint Catherine by Guido Reni, c. 1606 File:Elizabeth Panton (Gennari le Jeune).jpg|Portrait of Elizabeth Panton as Catherine by Benedetto Gennari II, c. 1689 ==References==
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