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In 1595 Caravaggio was inspired by the account of Brother Leo of how Saint Francis received the stigmata. Brother Leo's account is of what happened in 1224 when Francis retired to the wilderness with a small number of his followers to contemplate God. On the mountainside at night Brother Leo saw a six-winged seraph come down to Francis in answer to the saint's prayer that he might know both Christ's suffering and His love:
"All of a sudden there was a dazzling light. It was as though the heavens were exploding and splashing forth all their glory in millions of waterfalls of colors and stars. And in the centre of that bright whirlpool was a core of blinding light that flashed down from the depths of the sky with terrifying speed until suddenly it stopped, motionless and sacred, above a pointed rock in front of Francis. It was a fiery figure with wings, nailed to a cross of fire. Two flaming wings rose straight upward, two others opened out horizontally, and two more covered the figure. And the wounds in the hands and feet and heart were blazing rays of blood. The sparkling features of the Being wore an expression of supernatural beauty and grief. It was the face of Jesus, and Jesus spoke. Then suddenly streams of fire and blood shot from His wounds and pierced the hands and feet of Francis with nails and his heart with the stab of a lance. As Francis uttered a mighty shout of joy and pain, the fiery image impressed itself into his body, as into a mirrored reflection of itself, with all its love, its beauty, and its grief. And it vanished within him. Another cry pierced the air. Then, with nails and wounds through his body, and with his soul and spirit aflame, Francis sank down, unconscious, in his blood."
Caravaggio's image is of the moment following that dramatic encounter and shows the saint comforted by an angel in his agony and ecstasy.
Digitally reproduced canvas print from the Transfiguration Collection. The canvas which is mounted on real wood strechers, measures 16x20 inches in size and is framed in a dark brown frame with baroque-style decor. 21 x 25 inches overall size framed.
Item #43232
$275.00
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