Saint Francis of Assisi

ca. 1480–81
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 609
Set against a black background with the signs of the stigmata (Christ’s wounds from the Crucifixion) prominently displayed on his hands and abdomen, Saint Francis appears about to speak. The sound of worship, often evoked this way in devotional painting, could prove powerful in stimulating prayer or song and was a key element of many altarpieces.

This single-panel altarpiece, atypical in size and in its isolation of Saint Francis in space, signals Antoniazzo’s interest in taking inspiration from older, venerated paintings. It was made for Clemente Brigante Colonna’s chapel in the church of Santa Maria Maggiore, Tivoli, and reflects his particular devotion to Saint Francis.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Saint Francis of Assisi
  • Artist: Antoniazzo Romano (Antonio di Benedetto Aquilio) (Italian, Rome 1435/40–1508 Rome)
  • Date: ca. 1480–81
  • Medium: Tempera and gold on wood, transferred to wood
  • Dimensions: 63 1/8 × 23 1/2 in. (160.3 × 59.7 cm)
  • Classification: Paintings
  • Credit Line: Gift of Dinko Podrug, Nena Ilic-Podrug, and Iva Podrug, 2017
  • Object Number: 2017.714
  • Curatorial Department: European Paintings

More Artwork

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.