Painting Guides

Read paintings through their subjects, documented identities and collection records. Each guide links to the sources used and to relevant parts of the catalogue.

• How to Identify Saint Catherine of Alexandria in Paintings

  Recognise Catherine of Alexandria using documented attributes, compare Crivelli and Raphael, and distinguish Catherine of Siena.

• Saint Jerome in Art: Scholar, Hermit and the Lion

  Compare documented images of Saint Jerome studying and praying in the wilderness, with the limits of the book, cardinal’s clothing and lion.

• Saint Peter vs Saint Paul: Recognising the Apostles

  Compare Peter’s keys and Paul’s sword with inscriptions and narrative context, including Velázquez’s Saint Paul as a useful exception.