This piece is in the style of a traditional icon that details principal elements about a saint. Most icons of St. Clare feature her holding the Eucharist Host, a crozier to represent her leadership, and a lamp because her name means “to shine.” This particular icon tells a different story. Clare is holding the San Damiano Crucifix, which was painted in the twelfth century by an unknown artist.

Legend says that Francis first saw the cross in 1205 hanging in the small chapel at San Damiano, and as he knelt before it, a voice came to him saying. "Francis, rebuild my Church." When the Poor Clares left San Damiano for another location, they took the crucifix with them to the Basilica of St. Clare in San Gorgio. A copy hangs in the San Damiano chapel to this day.