Vision of Saint Francis

About this work

This painting shows a group of people gathered around a man's body. The man is shirtless and wearing a cloth around his waist. He's lying on a white cloth, and his head is tilted back. The people around him are looking at him with sad expressions. Some of them are touching his body or holding his hands. The painting is dark, with shadows all around the figures. The only light comes from above, shining down on the man's body. This makes the scene feel very somber and serious. If you're interested in more paintings that use dramatic lighting to create a mood, check out the technique of chiaroscuro.