De heilige Bernardinus van Siena brengt een kind tot leven 1599 - 1640

Bernardino Capitelli made this etching of Saint Bernardinus of Siena bringing a child back to life in the early 17th century. We see the saint, identifiable by his tonsure and simple robes, standing over a child's deathbed in a grand, columned hall. This is a work of the Counter-Reformation, when the Catholic Church sought to revitalize itself in response to the rise of Protestantism. Saints, miracles, and the authority of the Church were all emphasized, so Bernardino's act would have been understood as a clear demonstration of divine power working through the Catholic Church. The print also highlights the social role of the Church as a source of comfort and hope in a time of high infant mortality. Art historians might look at period sermons and pamphlets to understand better how images like this one were used to shape religious belief and practice. Ultimately, the power of this image lies in its ability to connect the viewer to a larger story of faith and redemption.