Illustrations by Maurice Denis

Saint Francis in prayer amidst a vibrant natural setting. The delicate flowers, flowing robes, and upward gaze convey his deep connection to God and the beauty of creation.

Español

 The final work, published in 1913, was filled with rich and colorful floral illustration.

Illustrations by Maurice Denis (1870–1943)

Maurice Denis, an influential French painter and member of the Nabis group. Following the First World War, he founded the Ateliers d'Art Sacré (Workshops of Sacred Art), decorated the interiors of churches, and worked for a revival of religious art.

 In 1911 he began work on illustrations for Fiorette by Saint Francis of Assisi. For this project he traveled alone by bicycle through Umbria and Tuscany, making drawings. The Fiorette, is a text celebrating the life of Saint Francis of Assisi. Completed in 1913, Denis’s work blends decorative modernism with deep spiritual feeling, capturing the saint’s gentle presence and his profound connection to nature.

The illustrations depict Saint Francis in a variety of intimate and contemplative moments: in prayer among flowers, in reflection with animals, and in joyful interaction with children. Each scene is rendered with rich, vibrant colors and finely detailed flora, emphasizing the harmony between Francis’s spiritual life and the natural world he cherished. Denis’s careful observation of the Umbrian and Tuscan landscapes, undertaken during his bicycle travels, infuses the compositions with a sense of place and serenity.

Through these images, Denis modernizes the medieval and early Renaissance tradition of Franciscan iconography, translating the saint’s humility, compassion, and love for creation into a fresh visual language that continues to inspire devotion and appreciation for the beauty of the natural world.

Saint Francis in ecstasy, pierced by Christ' stigmatta.

Francis in quiet reflection among richly detailed plants and flowers. The scene emphasizes his gentle demeanor and harmony with all living beings.

Illustration of Saint Francis interacting with children and small animals, embodying his compassion, humility, and joy in simple, natural beauty.

Get this image now on sale