Sacred Heart of Jesus - The Church of Sacro Cuore di Gesu Format:Enhanced Matte Print Wheat's presence in the painting

Wheat's presence in the painting reinforces the notion of the Eucharist as a transformative sacrament

Giordano's adept use of light and shadow further enhances the three-dimensionality of the figures

Konstantin Yegorovich Makovsky was an influential Russian painter

A lay monk who after denouncing the Real Presence dies as the host in the preists hands begins to bleed

epitomizes the resolute spirit of a heroine driven by unwavering faith

Sacred Heart of Jesus - The Church of Sacro Cuore di Gesu Format:Enhanced Matte Print Wheat's presence in the paintingThe church Sacro Cuore di Gesu was originally designed by Pope Pius IX, the land being bought by him along the then Via di Porta San Lorenzo. His intention was to dedicate the church to St Joseph, who he had declared 'Patron of the Universal Church' on 8 December 1870. In 1871, however he decided to dedicate the church to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Till this day the breathtaking nature of the image moves all who see it.