The Extraction of the Heart of St. Ignatius from the Altarpiece of St. Barnabas 1488

Sandro Botticelli's "The Extraction of the Heart of St. Ignatius" (1488) is a small-scale painting depicting the moment of Saint Ignatius' death, where his heart is being extracted by an angel. The scene is set against a dark background, highlighting the dramatic moment. The angel, with a serene expression, delicately holds the heart, while a figure, likely representing the saint's follower, witnesses the event. Botticelli, renowned for his graceful lines and elegant figures, employs a realistic style in this piece, capturing the solemnity of the event. This panel, originally part of a larger altarpiece dedicated to Saint Barnabas, is now housed in the Uffizi Gallery, Florence.