Morse with Saint Francis of Assisi Receiving the Stigmata

Worn as a clasp to close a priestly garment, this morse must have been created for an official of the Franciscan order. Despite their vows of poverty, Franciscans often possessed lavish liturgical vestments. Displaying the moment that Francis received the stigmata (marks on the body corresponding to Jesus’ crucifixion wounds), the scene closely corresponds to that on the nearby embroidery, but the nocturnal setting distinguishes this scene and heightens its drama.

Credit: Gift of Georges and Edna Seligmann, in memory of his father, the art collector Simon Seligmann, and his brother, René, 1979