The Vision of St. Francis

The Vision of St. Francis

Federico Barocci

1581

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

This print shows a dramatic scene with a mix of people and angels. At the center, a robed figure kneels on the ground, hands raised as if praying or receiving a vision. Above him, another figure floats, surrounded by light and small angels. On either side, two older men hold musical instruments—one a lute, the other a staff with a book. The background has a dark, shadowy room with columns and a small painting on the wall. Notice how the artist uses deep shadows and bright highlights to create a sense of depth and emotion. The floating figure’s glow stands out sharply against the darker figures below. This is an example of chiaroscuro, a technique that plays with light and dark.

More by Federico Barocci

Artifact World Gallery — 100,000 artworks Get the app