Artwork
Hl. Franziskus
Hl. Franziskus is an unspecified painting by the Mannerist artist Cigoli. It dates from 1594 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections. Created in 1594, *Hl.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1594, *Hl. Franziskus* is a religious canvas by the Italian Mannerist Lodovico Cardi, better known as Cigoli. The work portrays Saint Francis of Assisi and is part of the Alte Pinakothek’s holdings. It exemplifies the late‑sixteenth‑century Counter‑Reformation interest in saintly devotion, rendered through the elongated figures typical of the period.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a solitary Franciscan, seated in a dim interior, his hands clasped in prayer over an open book. The half‑lit visage and the modest candle on a nearby table underscore the saint’s contemplative piety, reflecting the Catholic Church’s emphasis on personal devotion during the Counter‑Reformation.
Technique & Style
Cigoli employs a pronounced chiaroscuro scheme, using deep shadows to isolate the figure against a dark background while allowing a narrow beam of light to illuminate the face, hands, and pages of the book. The elongated proportions and graceful pose are hallmarks of Mannerist aesthetics, combining refined elegance with a heightened emotional tone.
History & Provenance
Trained in Florence and later active in Rome, Cigoli produced this work toward the end of his career. After its creation, the painting entered various private collections before being acquired by the Alte Pinakothek, where it remains on display as part of the museum’s Italian Baroque and Mannerist holdings.
Context
Saint Francis was a frequent subject in Counter‑Reformation art, serving as a model of humility and spiritual fervor. Cigoli’s rendition aligns with contemporary efforts to inspire devotion through intimate, contemplative scenes rather than grand narrative spectacles, reflecting broader shifts in religious visual culture of late 16th‑century Italy.
Artist & collection
Artist
Lodovico or Ludovico Cardi (21 September 1559 – 8 June 1613), also known as Cigoli, was an Italian painter and architect of the late Mannerist and early Baroque period, trained and active in his early career in…
