Who painted Saint Francis Receiving the Stigmata?

Saint Francis Receiving the Stigmata was painted by Cosmè Tura in 1474.

Where can I see Saint Francis Receiving the Stigmata?

Saint Francis Receiving the Stigmata is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Saint Francis Receiving the Stigmata?

Saint Francis Receiving the Stigmata is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

Saint Francis Receiving the Stigmata

Cosmè Tura , 1474

Saint Francis Receiving the Stigmata is a drawing by the Renaissance artist Cosmè Tura. It dates from 1474 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1474, this miniature drawing by Cosmè Tura depicts Saint Francis of Assisi receiving the stigmata. Executed on vellum, the work measures only a few inches, yet it presents a fully realized scene in which the saint kneels in prayer beneath a luminous sky. The composition balances a dark, undefined landscape with a focused beam of light that illuminates the central figure.

Subject & Meaning

The image captures the moment of divine intervention when Saint Francis is marked with the wounds of Christ. The saint’s posture, head bowed and hands clasped, conveys intense devotion and spiritual surrender. The surrounding darkness emphasizes the miraculous nature of the event, while the radiant light suggests heavenly approval and the transmission of Christ’s suffering to the saint.

Technique & Style

The use of subtle gradations creates a soft atmospheric effect reminiscent of sfumato, allowing forms to emerge gently from the background.

Tura employed fine, precise lines and a restrained palette of delicate colors to render the miniature. The use of subtle gradations creates a soft atmospheric effect reminiscent of sfumato, allowing forms to emerge gently from the background. Despite its diminutive size, the drawing demonstrates meticulous attention to texture and facial expression, showcasing the artist’s skill in handling vellum as a delicate support.

History & Provenance

Attributed to the Ferrarese painter Cosmè Tura, the work belongs to his later period, when he explored devotional subjects in intimate formats. The drawing has remained in private collections before entering a museum holding for its rarity as a small-scale religious work on vellum. Its dating to the mid‑1470s aligns with Tura’s known activity in the court of Ferrara, where he produced both large altarpieces and miniature studies.