Saint Ursula with Angels and Donor (detail) 1455

This detail of “Saint Ursula with Angels and Donor” was painted by Benozzo Gozzoli during the Early Renaissance. Notice how the donor, presumably a woman given her garb, kneels in devotion, her hands clasped in prayer, positioned in the corner of the painting. Gozzoli lived in a patriarchal society, where religious institutions played a central role. Women often found empowerment through religious devotion, and commissioning art allowed them to assert their presence within that spiritual framework. The donor’s inclusion in the painting signals her piety, social standing, and her active participation in religious life. Her presence is a negotiation of gender roles. Consider the emotional resonance of this work. The act of kneeling in prayer captures a moment of vulnerability, faith, and perhaps a desire for divine intervention. The painting serves as a visual testament to her spiritual commitment and her place within the community.