Artwork
Saint Francis of Assisi
Saint Francis of Assisi is an oil painting by the Baroque artist Francisco de Zurbarán. It dates from 1640 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon.
About this work
Overview
Francisco de Zurbarán painted this oil work in 1659, portraying Saint Francis of Assisi in a solemn, contemplative pose. The figure is cloaked in a plain brown habit, his arms crossed, and a rope belt with three knots encircles his waist. The background recedes into darkness, punctuated by a subtle illumination from the upper left, emphasizing the saint's austere presence.
Subject & Meaning
The three knots on the rope belt reference the Franciscan vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, underscoring the saint's commitment to a life of renunciation. The simple attire and muted palette reflect Francis's humility, while the restrained gesture invites viewers to contemplate spiritual devotion.
Technique & Style
Zurbarán employs a stark chiaroscuro, contrasting deep shadows with a narrow band of light that models the saint's form. This dramatic use of light and shadow, characteristic of Spanish Baroque, heightens the figure's three-dimensionality and imbues the scene with a quiet intensity.
History & Provenance
During the French Revolution it entered the market, purchased by Lyon artist Jean-Jacques de Boissieu, who reproduced it in his 1797 print Les pères du désert.
Originally intended for a Madrid monastery, the painting was presented by Maria Theresa of Spain to the Colinettes Franciscan monastery in Lyon, founded in 1665. During the French Revolution it entered the market, purchased by Lyon artist Jean-Jacques de Boissieu, who reproduced it in his 1797 print Les pères du désert. De Boissieu sold the work to the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon in 1807. Misidentified as a work by Jusepe de Ribera for decades, scholarly reassessment in 1847 restored its attribution to Zurbarán.
Artist & collection
Artist
Francisco de Zurbarán was a Spanish Baroque painter. He is known primarily for his religious paintings depicting monks, nuns, and martyrs, and for his still-lifes. Zurbarán gained the nickname "Spanish Caravaggio",…
