Artwork
St. Francis receiving the Stigmata
St. Francis receiving the Stigmata is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist El Greco. It dates from 1596 and is held in the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts. Painted in 1596, St.
About this work
Overview
St. Francis receiving the Stigmata is a 1596 oil painting by El Greco, portraying a pivotal moment in the life of Francis of Assisi. The work is characterized by its religious subject matter and distinctive visual elements.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts Francis of Assisi in a state of spiritual ecstasy, identified by his brown robe. Key elements include his outstretched hands, upward gaze, the stigmata wound on his right hand, and a skull at his feet, symbolizing mortality and spiritual devotion.
Technique & Style
El Greco employs chiaroscuro, a strong contrast of light and dark, to create depth and emotional intensity. The dramatic lighting and expressive pose of the figure contribute to the overall sense of drama and spiritual fervor.
History & Provenance
Created in 1596, the painting is now part of the collection at the Detroit Institute of Arts.
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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.
