Correggio Mystical Marriage of Saint Catherine Religious Print Signed Besse

Description

Albert Georges Besse engraving depicts the Mystical Marriage of Saint Catherine of Alexandria with Saint Sebastian after the celebrated composition by Correggio.

The Christ Child sits on the Virgin Mary’s lap and places a ring on Saint Catherine’s finger. Saint Sebastian stands behind her holding the arrows associated with his martyrdom. Small narrative scenes appear within the wooded landscape in the background.

The engraving captures the gentle expressions and closely observed gestures of the figures. Fine lines and delicate stippling model the faces and hands while denser passages give depth to the flowing drapery. The central exchange of the ring forms the focus of this intimate religious composition.

The original painting by Antonio Allegri known as Correggio is held at the Louvre Museum. Bessé’s engraved plate is catalogued as dating from 1900; the precise printing date of this individual impression is not established.

This example bears the engraver’s pencil signature in the lower right margin. A finely engraved rose appears beneath the image as a floral remarque adding an attractive detail outside the main composition.

Details:
• Engraver: Albert-Georges Bessé (1871–1958).
• After: Correggio.
• Subject: Mystical Marriage of Saint Catherine with Saint Sebastian.
• Technique: intaglio engraving on paper.
• Pencil signature in the lower right margin.
• Engraved floral remarque.
• Sheet dimensions: 45 × 43 cm.
• Image dimensions: 27.8 × 26.5 cm.

An appealing work for collectors of religious art Italian Renaissance imagery and French engraving.