St. Catherine of Siena with Crucifix-Topped Heart Rubber Stamp

Our St. Catherine of Siena with Crucifix-Topped Heart rubber stamp reproduces an antique woodcut from The Nuremberg Chronicle (Liber Chronicarum). Written by Hartmann Schedal, The Chronicle is an illustrated, encyclopaedic account of world history to the end of the 15th century (and beyond to the Last Judgment). Its content was derived from mythology, the Bible, and various Mediaeval Chronicles. It was published in the city of Nuremberg by Anton Koberger in July 1493 in Latin and, a few months later, in December, in vernacular German. The Chronicle is especially noteworthy for its unprecedented use of illustrations: 645 original woodcuts were produced for its publication. While many woodcuts were reused more than once in the text with the captions simply changed, nevertheless, the volume boasts 1089 pictures in toto. + St. Catherine of Siena (1347-1380) was a lay Dominican or tertiary, a mystic and stigmatist, advisor to popes and politicians, and author and Doctor of the Church. Here, she is depicted in a Dominican nun’s habit and holds a crucifix-topped heart symbolising her ardent love for Christ crucified. + St. Catherine of Siena is a patron of the sick, nurses, and nursing services; firefighters and fire prevention; and Rome, Italy, and Europe. + Feast: April 29