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Saint Francis of Assisi

Andrea Andreani

1591

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Renaissance Renaissance Religious

Dominant colour

Saint Francis of Assisi is a 1591 ink by Andrea Andreani, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Andrea Andreani
When & what style?: 1591 · Renaissance
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This print shows a robed figure with a pointed hat, holding a small bird in one hand and a chain in the other. Behind him, a cross leans against a rough wall with a skull resting on the ground. The lines are dark and textured, giving everything a shadowy, almost three-dimensional look. The artist used a mix of colors—ochre and olive green—to create depth without smooth shading. This technique was tricky and rare for its time. Check out how this was made with woodcut.