Artwork
Franz von Assisi
Franz von Assisi is an unspecified painting by the Early Renaissance artist Bartolomeo Vivarini. It dates from 1450 and is held in the collection of the Brooklyn Museum.
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1450 by the Venetian painter Bartolomeo Vivarini, this early Renaissance work depicts a solitary figure in a solemn pose. The composition is modest in scale and is part of the Brooklyn Museum’s permanent collection, representing the religious genre typical of its period.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure, identified as Saint Francis of Assisi, is shown in a simple gray habit with a rope belt, a halo indicating sanctity, and his right hand raised in a gesture of blessing or prayer. The presence of a cross behind him reinforces his Christian identity and spiritual devotion.
Technique & Style
Vivarini employs tempera on panel, rendering the figure with clear outlines and a limited palette of muted tones. The background consists of a flat yellow field intersected by red streaks, while the ground plane is rendered in brown, creating a restrained spatial setting typical of early Renaissance portraiture.
History & Provenance
The painting entered the Brooklyn Museum’s holdings in the twentieth century, though earlier ownership records are sparse. Its attribution to Vivarini rests on stylistic analysis linking it to his known works from the mid‑15th century.
Artist & collection
Artist
Bartolomeo or Bartolommeo Vivarini (c. 1432 – c. 1499) was an Italian Renaissance painter, known to have worked from 1450 to 1499.
