Artwork
Saint Francis Receiving the Stigmata
Saint Francis Receiving the Stigmata is an unspecified painting by the Early Renaissance artist Battista di Biagio Sanguigni. It dates from 1420 and is held in the collection of the National Galleries Scotland.
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1420 by Battista di Biagio Sanguigni, an early‑15th‑century painter active in the Florentine vicinity, this panel portrays Saint Francis of Assisi at the moment he receives the wounds of Christ. The work belongs to the early Renaissance period and is presently part of the Scottish National Gallery’s collection.
Subject & Meaning
The composition captures the saint kneeling in prayer, his hands lifted and eyes turned upward as the divine marks appear on his body. This episode, a frequent theme in Italian devotional art, emphasizes Francis’s identification with Christ’s suffering and his mystical union with the divine.
Technique & Style
Sanguigni employs a restrained chiaroscuro, using subtle contrasts of light and shadow to model the figure and give the scene a quiet three‑dimensionality. The background is a simple landscape with a few trees and a modest structure, allowing the illuminated saint to dominate the visual field.
History & Provenance
Originally identified under the anonymous name “Master of 1419,” the artist was later recognized as Battista di Biagio Sanguigni. The painting entered the Scottish National Gallery’s holdings in the 20th century, where it remains on display.
Context
The work reflects the Florentine devotional tradition that flourished before the mid‑15th century, when artists increasingly explored naturalistic space and emotional expression. Its modest setting and focus on a single holy figure are characteristic of the period’s religious panels.
Artist & collection
Artist
Battista di Biagio Sanguigni, formerly known as the Master of 1419 (active 1393–1451) was an Italian painter from the region around Florence in the first half of the 15th century.
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