Artwork
Saint Francis receiving the Stigmata
Saint Francis receiving the Stigmata is an unspecified painting by the High Renaissance artist Unknown. It dates from 1500 and is held in the collection of the National Galleries Scotland. The work portrays the moment Saint Francis of Assisi receives the stigmata.
About this work
Overview
The work portrays the moment Saint Francis of Assisi receives the stigmata. The friar is shown kneeling, his hands uplifted in prayer, clothed in a long, flowing habit and encircled by a halo. Above him, a suspended crucified Christ bleeds from the wounds of the cross, set against a deep blue backdrop.
Subject & Meaning
The composition emphasizes the mystical union between the saint and the crucified Christ, symbolizing Francis’s identification with Christ’s suffering. The halo and the saint’s posture convey reverence, while the bleeding Christ underscores the physical manifestation of the wounds that the saint is said to have received.
Technique & Style
Rendered with a realistic approach, the painting employs chiaroscuro to model the figures, creating a pronounced sense of volume. The artist’s use of sfumato softens edges, producing a hazy, contemplative atmosphere that enhances the spiritual tone of the scene.
Context
The dark blue background serves to isolate the central figures, directing attention to the interaction between saint and divinity. The work reflects the broader Counter‑Reformation interest in vivid, emotionally resonant depictions of holy experiences.
Artist & collection
Domestic Scene
Giacomo and Cardinal Marco, investing Andrea, Abbot of San Zeno, with his Benefice
The Nymph of Fontainebleau
Portrait of a Woman
Madonna and Child with Saints in the Enclosed Garden
Venus and Minerva
Family Group of Four on Sofa
Wall painting from Room H of the Villa of P. Fannius Synistor at Boscoreale
