Beheading of Saint Catherine (?)

French 15th Century

National Gallery of Art

This is a drawing of a decapitation scene. The artwork depicts the moment of a beheading. Four figures are intently focused on the foreground action, where a person is shown holding a large sword, indicating the act of decapitation. The background elements suggest a setting of architectural structures of a bygone era. The use of color is bold, with vibrant blues, reds, and yellows adding to the intensity of the scene, while the drawing style emphasizes bold outlines and simplified forms.