Who painted Saint Francis and Saint Clara?

Saint Francis and Saint Clara was painted by German 15th Century in 1480.

Where can I see Saint Francis and Saint Clara?

Saint Francis and Saint Clara is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Saint Francis and Saint Clara?

Saint Francis and Saint Clara is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

Saint Francis and Saint Clara

German 15th Century , 1480

Saint Francis and Saint Clara is an ink print by the Renaissance artist German 15th Century. It dates from 1480 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. The work is a hand‑colored woodcut depicting two saints positioned before a plain brick wall.

About this work

Overview

The work is a hand‑colored woodcut depicting two saints positioned before a plain brick wall. The left figure is clad in a brown habit with a red sash, while the right figure wears a longer brown robe and carries a staff topped with ornamental detail. Both are marked by halos, and a strip of grass frames the lower edge of the scene.

Subject & Meaning

The two standing figures are identified as Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Clara (Clare), founders of the Franciscan and Poor Clare orders. Their juxtaposition emphasizes their shared spiritual lineage and mutual dedication to poverty and humility, themes reinforced by the modest architectural backdrop and the simple, earthy palette.

Technique & Style

The composition’s clear outlines and vivid hues echo Renaissance sensibilities while retaining the graphic character of the woodcut medium.

Executed as a woodcut, the image relies on bold, carved lines that define the figures and architectural elements. After printing, the block was hand‑colored using brown, rose, green, black, and yellow pigments, a common practice in early modern printmaking to enhance visual impact. The composition’s clear outlines and vivid hues echo Renaissance sensibilities while retaining the graphic character of the woodcut medium.

History & Provenance

The print originates from a period when devotional images were reproduced for private contemplation and communal worship. Though specific dates and ownership records are not provided, such hand‑colored woodcuts were typically circulated among Franciscan communities and lay patrons in the sixteenth century, serving both instructional and devotional purposes.