/internal/media/dispatcher/13758/fullFAS/D/235St Catherine of Alexandria disputing with the Fifty PhilosophersArt / DrawingsLate 16th - Early 17th centuryc. 1580-163015801630Giovanni BalducciGiovanni Balducci15.7000000000The scene depicted shows St Catherine of Alexandria, in the centre, a highly intelligent and devout Christian woman, disputing with fifty pagan philosophers, featured behind her, at the request of Emperor Maxentius, who is the second figure on the left, seated on a throne. The emperor hoped to convince her to renounce her faith, but Catherine's eloquent arguments and conversion of the philosophers instead led to her own martyrdom. 17.3000000000Balducci's drawing was formerly attached to the verso of Mattia Preti's 'St Firminius' (FAS/D/234), a larger sheet which may have acted as a support for this drawing. The drawings were separated in 2023 during conservation treatment.
Stylistically, the drawing is mannerist and several similarities can be observed with drawings by the Zuccari, Naldini and Balducci. The light, spirited pen-and-wash technique over an energetic graphite underdrawing aligns more closely with Balducci’s compositional drawings than with those of his teacher, Naldini, whose works in the same medium display a heavier touch, more angular lines, and a more pronounced influence from his own artistic predecessors, Pontormo and Vasari.Acquired for the museum in 1933 from an unknown private collection in Malta. Support: 17.3 x 15.7 cmMUŻAReserve Collection15723-4HMZA 00023526770DrawingM.A.R. (1933-34), p.xviii/M18, no.70
Giovanni Bonello, 'A Drawing by Filippo Paladini discovered?', in Treasures Of Malta, Christmas 2003, No 28, Vol X, No 1, pp. 13-17 - attributed to Filippo PaladiniHeritage Malta1194Pen and brown ink with wash over graphite on laid paperDrawing1 sheetItaly