Episode 1: Saint Bernardino's parents pray to God for a son; Episode 2: The Birth of Saint Bernardino; Episode 3: The Young Saint Bernardino performs an act of mercy, from "The Life of Saint Bernardino of Siena" 1610 - 1639

Bernardino Capitelli created this print depicting "The Life of Saint Bernardino of Siena" in Italy sometime in the first half of the 17th century. At a time when the Catholic Church was still a major institutional force in civic life, images of Saints served to reinforce its moral authority. Here, Bernardino of Siena, a 15th-century Italian priest, is shown as a figure of piety and charity, from his miraculous birth to an early act of mercy. The images would have prompted reflection on the importance of the Church as an institution and the value of good works within the community. The print is also a reminder of the unequal distribution of wealth and power at this time. Siena, like other Italian city-states, had a hierarchical social structure with a wealthy elite and a large population of poor and working-class people. By consulting historical sources such as church records, biographies, and social histories, we can understand how this print reflects the values and beliefs of its time.