St Jerome and St Catherine of Alexandria, Bruges or Brussels, c. 1480-1490, anonymous, anonymous, c. 1480 - c. 1490
Jerome and Catherine sit on a grass-covered bench before some rose bushes. The two saints can be identified by their attributes: Jerome with the lion, and Catherine with the sword and the broken wheel. Catherine was the daughter of a king and served as a role model for wealthy courtly ladies. The costly heartshaped book she holds probably contains profane love songs. Are we looking at a portrait?