The Ecstasy of Saint Catherine of Siena, kneeling on a cloud carried by angels, one of whom holds a lily 1729 - 1740

Editor: So, this is "The Ecstasy of Saint Catherine of Siena," an engraving by Simon Francis Ravenet the elder, dating from between 1729 and 1740. She's kneeling on a cloud with angels all around, and it’s such a dreamlike composition. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The immediate impression is one of spiritual transport, of course, but it's the enduring symbolism that resonates most strongly. Saint Catherine's upward gaze and posture of supplication tap into centuries of cultural understanding of religious ecstasy. Note how the lily, presented by the angel, functions. Editor: It seems like the lily symbolizes purity, but is there more to it? Curator: Exactly. The lily represents purity and is specifically linked to the Virgin Mary. Its presence suggests Catherine's own virtuous nature. But observe also the way the clouds beneath her transform the scene. Clouds are ambiguous. Are these divine messengers, or do they reflect a deeper psychological yearning? Editor: A yearning? What kind? Curator: The yearning for connection to the divine, naturally, but also, perhaps a personal longing. Baroque art frequently uses religious narratives to express very human desires and conflicts, wouldn't you agree? These figures—cherubic as they are—have human form, with fleshiness and movement, no? They mediate between us and Catherine. Editor: That makes sense. It's like they're making her experience accessible. Curator: Precisely. Ravenet’s print acts as a vessel of cultural memory. This single image contains echoes of collective emotions associated with faith, transcendence, and even vulnerability. And it encourages us, even now, to look into the past as much as at the print itself. Editor: It’s fascinating how a seemingly straightforward religious scene can hold so much layered meaning! Thank you. Curator: Indeed, art gives concrete form to our intangible values. The deeper we look, the more the symbolic layers emerge.