Saint Francis in Meditation, 1635-9
Francisco de Zurbarán
Oil on canvas
In the solitude of a dimly lit stone cell, Francis is at once physically before us and spiritually elsewhere. Absorbed in meditation, he cradles a skull in his hands. Beneath the hood of his Capuchin habit his barely discernible eyes are turned heavenwards. The tattered, patched-up garment is the embodiment of the Franciscan ideals of poverty and humility. A more essential representation of Francis is hard to imagine. Zurbarán made the painting in Seville.*
From the exhibition
Saint Francis of Assisi
(May – July 2023)
Presenting the art and imagery of Saint Francis (1182–1226) from the 13th century to today, this exhibition looks at why this saint is a figure of enormous relevance to our time due to his spiritual radicalism, commitment to the poor, and love of God and nature, as well as his powerful appeals for peace, and openness to dialogue with other religions.
From some of the earliest medieval panels, relics and manuscripts to modern-day films and a Marvel comic, the exhibition shines a light on how Saint Francis has captured the imagination of artists through the centuries, and how his appeal has transcended generations, continents and different religious traditions.
It brings together paintings from the National Gallery Collection by Sassetta, Botticelli, and Zurbarán with international loans including works by Caravaggio, Josefa de Óbidos, Stanley Spencer, Antony Gormley, Giuseppe Penone, Andrea Büttner, and an exciting new commission from Richard Long.
[*National Gallery]
Taken in the National Gallery
Saint Francis in Meditation, 1635-9
Francisco de Zurbarán
Oil on canvas
In the solitude of a dimly lit stone cell, Francis is at once physically before us and spiritually elsewhere. Absorbed in meditation, he cradles a skull in his hands. Beneath the hood of his Capuchin habit his barely discernible eyes are turned heavenwards. The tattered, patched-up garment is the embodiment of the Franciscan ideals of poverty and humility. A more essential representation of Francis is hard to imagine. Zurbarán made the painting in Seville.*
From the exhibition
Saint Francis of Assisi
(May – July 2023)
Presenting the art and imagery of Saint Francis (1182–1226) from the 13th century to today, this exhibition looks at why this saint is a figure of enormous relevance to our time due to his spiritual radicalism, commitment to the poor, and love of God and nature, as well as his powerful appeals for peace, and openness to dialogue with other religions.
From some of the earliest medieval panels, relics and manuscripts to modern-day films and a Marvel comic, the exhibition shines a light on how Saint Francis has captured the imagination of artists through the centuries, and how his appeal has transcended generations, continents and different religious traditions.
It brings together paintings from the National Gallery Collection by Sassetta, Botticelli, and Zurbarán with international loans including works by Caravaggio, Josefa de Óbidos, Stanley Spencer, Antony Gormley, Giuseppe Penone, Andrea Büttner, and an exciting new commission from Richard Long.
[*National Gallery]
Taken in the National Gallery