Panel of an altarpiece dedicated to St. Catherine: St. Catherine Freed from the Wheel (work of art)

Catherine of Alexandria was, according to legend, a young woman who converted to Christianity after she had a vision. She debated 50 pagan philosophers and convinced them to become Christians, along with about 200 soldiers and members of the emperor’s family. All of them were martyred, or killed for their religious beliefs. Catherine was about 18 years old when she was sentenced to be executed on a spiked wheel. Although a miracle helped her escape torture and death on the execution wheel, the emperor Maxentius had her executed by beheading. It is said that angels later carried Catherine’s body to a monastery at the foot of Mount Sinai. 

In the Catholic tradition, Saint Catherine of Alexandria was a fourth-century Alexandrian noblewoman, Christian, and scholar. She is the patron saint of philosophers, unmarried girls, and craftspeople who work with wheels (such as potters and spinners). She is also known as one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers. Saint Catherine’s Day, or the Feast of Saint Catherine, is celebrated around the world on November 25.

In this painting of Saint Catherine, the angel flying above the scene is depicted wearing a light red-toned robe. The angel’s clothing was most likely painted using kermes red. Kermes red is one of the oldest known organic dyes. It comes from an insect that feeds on the sap of Mediterranean oak trees. The dye is obtained from the crushed, dried bodies of the female kermes insect. 

The name kermes comes from the Sanskrit word krmiza, which means worm-made. The color names carmine and crimson come from this root word. Kermes was also called grana (grain) because it was often mistaken as a plant seed or berry. Highly prized kermes-dyed fabrics like silk and wool were described as being “dyed in the grain.” This gave rise to the term “ingrained.”

Kermes is mentioned in the old and new testaments of the Bible. It is believed that the Hebrews obtained kermes from the Phoenicians and used it to dye the curtains of their tabernacle.

• Explore an educational resource that includes lessons featuring Saint Catherine of Alexandria.
• Read an article about Saint Catherine that describes how her feast day is celebrated around the world.
• Watch a video that includes information (near the end of the clip) about the red dye derived from the kermes insect. 

Resources for Students

• Watch a short video about Saint Catherine of Alexandria.
• View images of other paintings that depict Saint Catherine of Alexandria.
• Read an article about kermes dye.