Catherine of Siena (1347–1380)

Italian mystic, born in Siena. In 1375 she is said to have received on her body the stigmata, the impression of Jesus' wounds. The fame of this miracle forced her to become a public figure, and she acted as an emissary for both Florence and the pope. She also wrote a mystical Dialogue. Her feast day is 29 April. She was canonized in 1461.

Her life was painted several times in the 15th century (for example, by Giovanni di Paolo) despite a papal interdict on images of her receiving the stigmata.