Need help identifying Spanish saint | Málaga Cathedral

June 30, 2022 9:12 PM

i am trying to identify a female saint (?) who is part of the carvings in the choir of the Málaga cathedral. She is holding a sword/spear and it is thrust into the eye of a head laying at her feet.

I can't find an image on the web of just this figure. But, if you go to this link, she is the second figure from the left.

posted by randlesc to Media & Arts (6 answers total)

Response by poster: I just found a much better image. Unfortunately the information that goes with it did not lead me anywhere, perhaps others will have better luck.
posted by randlesc at 9:16 PM on June 30, 2022

I am not an expert but if you're not sure it's a saint I would think it might be Judith?
posted by nantucket at 9:36 PM on June 30, 2022

I am almost certain that is Saint Catherine of Alexandria. A tourist documenting his travels has a web site with a page about this cathedral that includes a photo of a sign identifying the figures carved in the back of the choir stalls. Looking at wider shots of the choir seats, your figure is at seat number four, which the sign identifies as "Santa Catalina de Alejandria", i.e. Saint Catherine of Alexandria. Further confirmation comes from the fact that Saint Catherine of Alexandria is often depicted with a sword and spiked wheel, which appear in your figure. I'm not sure about the symbolism of the head.
posted by RichardP at 10:34 PM on June 30, 2022 [7 favorites]

From a blogpost about a very similar figure of St. Catherine of Alexandria:

A sus pies, encontramos la cabeza del emperador, símbolo de que, por su martirio, la santa ha vencido por medio de su fe. At her feet, we find the head of the emperor [Maxentius], symbol that, by her martyrdom, the saint has triumphed through faith.

Here's more information about her iconography, including the defeated emperor motif.
posted by peppercorn at 11:23 PM on June 30, 2022 [5 favorites]

Scholar specializing in early modern hagiography here. That's Catherine of Alexandria for sure -- sword and wheel are the giveaway attributes. Those are some very lovely 16th century choir stalls!
posted by pleasant_confusion at 9:36 AM on July 1, 2022 [5 favorites]

Response by poster: Thank you everyone! I appreciate all the help and the pointers to St. Catherine of Alexandria's identity.
posted by randlesc at 9:51 PM on July 1, 2022