Artwork
Saint Francis of Assisi
Saint Francis of Assisi is an unspecified painting by the Early Renaissance artist Antoniazzo Romano. It dates from 1490 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The painting portrays Saint Francis of Assisi, the 13th-century Italian friar and founder of the Franciscan order, as its central subject.
The painting portrays Saint Francis of Assisi, the 13th-century Italian friar and founder of the Franciscan order, as its central subject. Rendered by Antoniazzo Romano in 1480, the work belongs to the religious genre and depicts a male figure identified as Francis of Assisi. As a devotional image, it functions within the tradition of Franciscan iconography, presenting the saint as a model of piety, humility, and mystical devotion for veneration.
The painting's main subject, as catalogued, is Francis of Assisi himself, and the image serves to commemorate his spiritual legacy and to invite the viewer's contemplation of his sanctity.
History & Provenance
The Saint Francis of Assisi by Antoniazzo Romano is dated to circa 1480, aligning with the artist’s mature period. The work entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is currently held. No documented commission or early provenance details are recorded in the provided sources, which identify the painting as a religious genre piece depicting Francis of Assisi and attribute it solely to Antoniazzo Romano.
The painting Saint Francis of Assisi by Antoniazzo Romano, created in 1480, is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The work is classified as a religious painting depicting the main subject, Francis of Assisi. While the artwork is confirmed to reside at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the provided sources do not contain specific inventory or accession numbers, nor do they list any details regarding its exhibition history.
Overview
Antoniozzo Romano, a leading painter of the Roman school in the late 15th century, created Saint Francis of Assisi around 1490. This painting exemplifies his approach to religious subjects within the Early Renaissance, characterized by a distinctive, somewhat traditional aesthetic. It portrays Francis of Assisi, a central figure in Christian hagiography, and is currently housed in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Technique & Style
Romano's artistic approach in this piece reflects an Early Renaissance style, incorporating elements that could be considered archaic for its period. The figure of Saint Francis is rendered with a sense of solidity, emphasized by the deep shadows within the folds of his robe, which create a three-dimensional effect. The vibrant red of the book provides a focal point against the muted tones of the habit and the simple dark blue background, drawing the viewer's attention.
Artist & collection
Artist
Antonio di Benedetto Aquilo degli Aquili (c. 1430 – c. 1510), known as Antoniazzo Romano, was an Italian Early Renaissance painter, the leading figure of the Roman school during the latter part of the 15th century He…
