Saint Bernardino of Siena 1460 - 1470

This 15th-century woodcut, attributed to an anonymous artist, depicts Saint Bernardino of Siena, an Italian Franciscan friar known for his preaching and theological works. The saint is depicted in a characteristic Franciscan habit, holding a book and a sun, signifying his teachings. The artwork also features a cityscape, likely representing Siena, the city where Saint Bernardino was born. The piece’s simplicity and clarity are typical of woodcut art, which was a popular medium for religious imagery during the Renaissance. The inscription on the artwork refers to Saint Bernardino’s sermons and his connection to the city of Siena. This woodcut, a rare example of its genre, is now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.