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Lot Essay
Miguel Cabrera was born in Oaxaca, Mexico, most likely at the end of the 17th century or beginning of the 18th century. Despite painting most of his works in Mexico City, they are dispersed throughout the country. Cabrera was linked to the archbishop Manuel Rubio y Salinas, from whom he received many important commissions. Cabrera also worked on numerous occassions for various religious orders. For the Jesuits, he executed a magnificent series of 32 paintings recounting the life of St. Ignacio. For the Dominicans, the artist also painted a series dedicated to the life of the distinguished saint to be displayed in the cloisters of their old convent. The Franciscans commissioned many works from the artist including, for example, the Virgen del Apocalipsis and Virgen de Guadalupe con franciscanos both currently in the Museo del Antiguo Colegio de Propaganda Fide de Guadalupe, Zacatecas (Mexico).
The present screen narrates two passages in the life of Saint Catherine of Sienna. At the age of 17, Saint Catherine of Sienna decided to dedicate her life to the Dominican Order and to the care of invalids. Although the most frequent inconographical representations of St. Catherine illustrate the "Mystic Marriage", there are also paintings that reveal important passages from her life as narrated by the Dominicans. The pilgrimage to the tomb of St. Ins of Montepulciano, and the presentation of St. Catherine before the pope by Saint Dominic are good examples of this, and are painted on both sides of the present important screen. It is interesting to note that in both scenes the Stigmata of the crucifixion is apparent on St. Catherine's hands. This was an allusion to the Dominicans who wished to show the direct parallel with St. Francis. In the pilgrimage scene, a red flagged staff heralds the arrival of the Saints which symbolizes the "Passion of Christ".
The style of the present lot is characteristic of Cabrera's work from the 1750's. This screen is an extremely unique piece that although popular at that time, very few have survived. This screen was most probably created to adorn the private cell of one of the more important nuns in the convent.
The present screen narrates two passages in the life of Saint Catherine of Sienna. At the age of 17, Saint Catherine of Sienna decided to dedicate her life to the Dominican Order and to the care of invalids. Although the most frequent inconographical representations of St. Catherine illustrate the "Mystic Marriage", there are also paintings that reveal important passages from her life as narrated by the Dominicans. The pilgrimage to the tomb of St. Ins of Montepulciano, and the presentation of St. Catherine before the pope by Saint Dominic are good examples of this, and are painted on both sides of the present important screen. It is interesting to note that in both scenes the Stigmata of the crucifixion is apparent on St. Catherine's hands. This was an allusion to the Dominicans who wished to show the direct parallel with St. Francis. In the pilgrimage scene, a red flagged staff heralds the arrival of the Saints which symbolizes the "Passion of Christ".
The style of the present lot is characteristic of Cabrera's work from the 1750's. This screen is an extremely unique piece that although popular at that time, very few have survived. This screen was most probably created to adorn the private cell of one of the more important nuns in the convent.