Saint Catherine of Siena Exchanging Her Heart with Christ 1417 - 1482

Giovanni di Paolo's "Saint Catherine of Siena Exchanging Her Heart with Christ" is a small, intimate painting depicting a key moment in Catherine's life. The saint, clad in a black habit with a white wimple, kneels in front of Christ, who appears in a golden halo. The exchange of hearts is symbolized by the red heart held by Catherine and a similar object in Christ's hand, highlighting Catherine's devotion and mystical experiences. The cityscape behind them, likely Siena, further contextualizes the scene, emphasizing the importance of the painting's subject matter to the local community. This late-Gothic painting, likely produced for private devotion, exemplifies Giovanni di Paolo's exquisite detail and spiritual focus, typical of his Sienese artistic heritage.