Artwork
St. Francis Kneeling before Christ on the Cross
St. Francis Kneeling before Christ on the Cross is an unspecified painting by the Early Renaissance artist Sassetta. It dates from 1440 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. St.
About this work
Overview
St. Francis Kneeling before Christ on the Cross is a painting that formed the center pinnacle of a double-sided altarpiece created for the church of San Francesco in Borgo Sansepolcro.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts St. Francis kneeling before a cross, above which a leafy tree and a nest of pelicans are shown. The tree and pelicans symbolize Christ's sacrifice and role as the source of eternal life, resonating with St. Francis's devotion and mystical experiences.
Technique & Style
The work is characterized by its use of symbolic imagery, likely employing techniques common in 15th-century painting, such as sfumato, to convey its themes.
History & Provenance
The altarpiece was made for the church of San Francesco in Borgo Sansepolcro, near Arezzo, a location associated with the saint's influence and veneration.
Artist & collection
Artist
Stefano di Giovanni di Consolo, known as il Sassetta (c. 1392–1450) was a Tuscan painter of the Renaissance, and a significant figure of the Sienese School. While working within the Sienese tradition, he innovated the…
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