CARRACCI, Annibale
(b. 1560, Bologna, d. 1609, Roma)

The Mystic Marriage of St Catherine

1585-87
Oil on canvas
Museo Nazionale di Capodimonte, Naples

This picture was once in the Farnese collection. The scene's elegant if almost overpowering sweetness is directly derived from Correggio. This can clearly be seen from the saint's downcast but slightly smiling eyes. The dark background emphasizes the softness of the light coming in from one side.