Object Image

Saint Francis blessing

The sculpture, formerly in a private collection, was purchased by Monte dei Paschi in 1987. Despite the adolescent features of the saint’s face – highly unusual in representations of Saint Francis – the subject is readily recognizable as the saint from Assisi who received the stigmata on his hands, feet, and side, which he shows here to the faithful. Francis holds the book representing the Rule of the Order he founded, which, as the surviving traces of the original painted decoration indicate, must have been adorned with the illuminations typical of ancient manuscripts. The cloverleaf hole in the saint’s breast and square cavities in the base of the sculpture served to contain his relics, revea...
1400-1500
Carved and painted wood
90.0cm
Images and text © Monte dei Paschi di Siena, 2017

Where you'll find this

Museo San Donato (MPSArt)
Permanent collection