Titelprent voor een serie met scènes uit het leven en wonderen van de Heilige Catharina van Siena 1597

Pieter de Jode I created this print, "Titelprent voor een serie met scènes uit het leven en wonderen van de Heilige Catharina van Siena," as a tribute to Christiane of Lorraine, wife of Ferdinando II de' Medici, around the late 16th or early 17th century. This work reflects the cultural and religious reverence for female saints, particularly Catherine of Siena. Positioned centrally, she's framed by figures of religious authority and scholarly men, emphasizing her spiritual importance. Yet, the male figures around her highlight how women's voices were often mediated through male interpretation. The visual emphasis on Catherine's piety and her association with miracles speaks to the period's ideals of female holiness. Consider this image as a carefully constructed narrative, reflecting both devotion and the social dynamics of its time. How might Catherine’s representation as both powerful and pious resonate with the experiences of women then and now?