La tavola di Santa Chiara

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La Pala di Santa Chiara, is considered to be the work of the Master of Saint Clare, and it was executed in 1283 under the pontificate of Pope Martin IV, as stated in a painted inscription at her feet. 

The pictorial field of the icon is divided into three parts by two painted columns from which pointed arches start; the surviving triangles are occupied by two flying angels. Clare's feet rest on a base painted over the gilded background, the halo partially covering the arch gives the illusion of being placed in front, in relief.

At both sides there are eight episodes of the life of Clare. The narration takes place in a counter-clockwise direction, starting from the bottom left:

1. On Palm Sunday, while all the other girls hurry to the altar to take the palm, Clare, in an act of humility, remains in her place: and behold, the bishop descends from the altar and places a palm in hands;
2. the following night Clare escapes from the paternal house and reaches Santa Maria della Porziuncola, here she is welcomed by Francis and his friars who pray by torchlight;
3. kneeling before the altar Clare laid down her rich clothes and wears a rough habit. St. Francis cuts her hair;
4. Her uncle, with other relatives, tries to take the girl from the monastery of S. Paolo delle Benedettine, where she was taken by Francis: Clare clings to the tablecloths of the altar and once the veil is lifted she shows her shaven head;
5. while Chiara was in the monastery of Sant'Angelo di Panzo was joined by her sister Agnese, the furious relatives tried to bring her back home but at Chiara's prayers her body became heavier than lead and the uncle Monaldo who had raised his fist to beat her he could no longer lower his arm, which remained paralyzed for a long time; the episode has its appendix with Francesco cutting Agnese's hair in the presence of Chiara;
6. once in the monastery of San Damiano there was only one bread, Chiara ordered the dispenser to send a part to the friars and to cut off the half kept in fifty slices, which were distributed to the nuns in the refectory;
7. lying Chiara on her deathbed, a nun had a vision of the Queen of Heaven entering the room along with a host of crowned virgins and covering her body with a cloth of marvelous beauty;
8. When the news of Chiara's death spread, a large crowd left the city towards San Damiano, the funeral was celebrated by Pope Innocent IV and the cardinals of the Curia

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