Saint Catherine's Engagement (Klontzas)

Saint Catherine's Engagement Saint Catherine's Engagement is a tempera painting created by Greek painter Georgios Klontzas. Typically, paintings featuring the theme are commonly referred to as the Mystical marriage of Saint Catherine. Klontzas was born in Heraklion, Crete, and was a member of the Cretan School active from 1550-1608 during the middle period of the Cretan Renaissance. Klontzas was familiar with the works of El Greco because he was hired to assess his art. Klontzas created portable icons, triptychs, and illuminated manuscripts. He is notable for his Last Judgment themes. His existing catalog consists of Fifty-four works. Klontzas also painted the Transfiguration and Monastic Scenes to honor Saint Catherine's Monastery in Egypt.

A princess who lived in Alexandria, Egypt, named Catherine, converted to the new Christian faith from 287 to 305 AD. Emperor Maxentius put her to torture because she converted hundreds to the new Christian faith. A spiked wheel was used in an attempt to put her to death, but it shattered upon her touch. Eventually, she was beheaded. Since her canonization around the 4th century, the martyr has been featured in art. A movement began during the Middle Ages depicting her as the bride of Christ. One of the earliest known depictions of the mystical marriage of Catherine to Jesus dates back to the 12th century and gained popularity during the proto-Renaissance, continuing into the Renaissance period.

The Master of the Redeemer completed a notable work entitled Polyptych of the Seven Saints, with the Marriage of St. Catherine of Alexandria between 1310-50. In the 1420s, Michelino da Besozzo completed his version titled Mystical Marriage of Saint Catherine. Klontzas completed his work sometime during the latter part of the 1500s. All three paintings feature Christ offering Catherine an engagement ring. Klontzas' work of art is currently at Saint Demetrios Metropolitan Cathedral in Arta, Greece. The work of art was moved from a neighboring church called Agia Sophia of Arta.