1850
watercolor
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
Dominant colour
Copy after the Death of St Francis, Domenico Ghirlandaio in the Sassetti Chapel, Chiesa di Santa Trinita (Florence) is a 1850 watercolor by Domenico Ghirlandaio, a Early Renaissance work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
This painting shows a group of people crowded around a bed. The person in bed is dressed in white robes, with a blue cloth at the foot. Some people are kneeling, others are standing close, and a few are reaching toward the bed. The background looks like a church interior with arches and light streaming in. The artist made the scene feel dramatic by using strong contrasts between light and shadow. Notice how the faces and hands are carefully detailed, even in the dimmer areas. Look up chiaroscuro next to see how this technique works in other paintings.
A watercolour depicts Saint Francis lying on a bed at the center of the composition, surrounded by figures, within a portico featuring columns. The background includes a landscape view. This copy was produced for the Arundel Society by Michele Rapisardi in 1850.
Read the full account in the museum source.
Domenico di Tommaso Curradi di Doffo Bigordi (2 June 1448 – 11 January 1494), professionally known as Domenico Ghirlandaio (also spelt as Ghirlandajo), was an Italian Renaissance painter born in Florence.
See the richer artist page
