Saint Catherine of Bologna

This seated sculpture represents Saint Catherine of Bologna as a full-length figure. She is seated upon a wooden chair finished with volutes at its extremities. In her right hand she holds a crucifix, while in her left she appears to hold an object now lost, likely a rosary.

The Bolognese saint is dressed in the Franciscan habit, embellished with a rich and colorful floral ornamentation, which contrasts with the sobriety characteristic of the order. The polychromy and gilded sgraffito of the garments contribute to create a composition of great visual richness, with particular emphasis on the vegetal borders in rosy tones.

The work presents a notable variety of textures, ranging from the structural rigidity of the chair to the softness of the cushion upon which the saint's feet rest, which adds a tactile dimension to the piece.

The question of authorship remains a subject of debate, although certain formal features suggest a possible connection with the Castilian school.

Otherwise, the presence of a hook on the upper part of the head indicates that the work may have originally included a halo, now lost.