Embrace by Murillo
Español The painting is part of a series of paintings commissioned to Murillo by the Order of the Capuchins for the church of his convent in Seville. Such works, carried out around the years 1668 and 1669, were to exalt the distinctive elements of Franciscan spirituality. The theme of the work (Allegory on the renunciation of the material world of Francis de Assisi to follow Jesus.) Had already been embodied by other painters and among all the versions, the most famous was that of Francisco Ribalta made about ten years before for the Capuchins of Valencia. Therefore it is easy to think that it was the Valencian brothers, who also contributed to the founding of the convent of Seville, who suggested to Murillo the reproduction of that motif in his web. This composition captures the defining turning point in the life of Saint Francis of Assisi: the moment he renounces the world to belong entirely to Christ. The saint leans into the crucified Christ with deep tenderness, embracing Him as b...
