H. Catharina van Siena

This print of Saint Catherine of Siena was made by an anonymous artist, and it shows the saint in a moment of divine inspiration. The image creates meaning through visual codes that would have been very familiar to people in Europe. Saint Catherine's halo identifies her status and her religious virtue. She holds a crucifix in one hand and a heart in the other, an attribute in line with her visions. We should note the institutional context: the cult of saints was strongly promoted by the Catholic church in the face of the rise of Protestantism. The text at the bottom is in French, and there is also a serial number, suggesting this print was mass-produced. Examining this print involves looking at not only artistic traditions but also the religious and political history of Europe. We have to consider the role of the church, printmaking, and the economy, to better understand its cultural significance.