Artwork
Saint Francis Receiving the Stigmata
Saint Francis Receiving the Stigmata is an oil painting by El Greco. It dates from 1594 and is held in the collection of the Walters Art Museum.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1585, this oil on canvas by El Greco portrays Saint Francis of Assisi at the moment of receiving the stigmata. The work is part of the Walters Art Museum collection in Baltimore and is signed by the artist, confirming its attribution.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a solitary figure in a humble robe, his arms outstretched and his gaze lifted toward an unseen source of light. The pose and expression convey the saint’s deep spiritual surrender and the mystical experience of bearing Christ’s wounds.
Technique & Style
El Greco employs stark chiaroscuro, contrasting a dark, indeterminate background with a luminous glow that seems to descend from above. Bold, expressive brushwork defines the folds of the robe and the delicate features of the face, heightening the emotional intensity of the scene.
History & Provenance
A contemporary counterpart of this painting resides in the Escorial, also signed by El Greco but later trimmed, leaving its signature incomplete. Both versions were produced simultaneously, indicating the artist’s exploration of the same theme in parallel formats.
Context
The work reflects the Counter‑Reformation emphasis on personal piety and the visual dramatization of saintly miracles. By focusing on a single, illuminated figure, El Greco aligns with contemporary devotional practices that sought to draw viewers into an intimate encounter with the divine.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Doménikos Theotokópoulos was born in 1541 in Candia (modern Heraklion), the capital of Venetian-ruled Crete, where he was trained in the post-Byzantine tradition of icon painting.
