Catharina toont haar wonden / Catharina ontvangt de communie van Christus / Raimundus van Capua bezoekt Catharina thuis en treft Christus aan 1597

This engraving, made by Pieter de Jode I, visualizes three scenes of the life of Saint Catherine of Siena. The print captures a pivotal period in Counter-Reformation art when images of female saints were designed to inspire piety and reinforce church doctrine. The representation of Saint Catherine receiving communion from Christ is not just a depiction of religious devotion; it's a powerful statement on female spiritual authority, albeit within the confines of religious life. Notice how de Jode portrays Catherine kneeling, eyes uplifted, embodying humility, while Christ’s direct gaze and gesture signifies divine recognition. However, the presentation is not without constraints. The image exists within a patriarchal framework, emphasizing female virtue through piety and submission, thus negotiating the complex intersections of gender, religion, and power in the 17th century. Consider how the image might have been received by women of the time, navigating their own spiritual paths within a society that often sought to limit their influence.