Meeting of St Francis and St Dominic 1429

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Meeting of St Francis and St Dominic (c. 1429).

In this finely painted tempera panel from around 1429, we witness a solemn encounter between Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Dominic. The two figures stand at the centre of the composition, locked in a respectful handshake that symbolises mutual recognition, spiritual unity and shared mission. Francis is shown in the simple brown habit of his mendicant order, while Dominic wears the black and white garb of the Dominicans—these visual cues immediately identify their respective traditions. The background features a church-building with an arcaded facade and a calm landscape, lending architectural gravitas and a quiet, reflective setting for the meeting.

The colours are clear and bright typical of early Renaissance panel-work: the saints’ halos glow with gold leaf, lending a sacred aura to the scene. The figures are set on a tiled floor, and their gestures—Francis slightly inclining his head, Dominic offering a gentle but firm gesture of greeting—convey humility and mutual respect rather than triumphalism. Around them, other friars and brothers, identified by their habits, observe the scene with modest reverence, underscoring the communal context of the encounter. The composition’s perspective and formal arrangement reflect the new spatial awareness of the early Quattrocento, though still retains the delicate decorative intricacy and refined outlines of Gothic painters.

Above the meeting, a figure of the Virgin and Child may appear or angels may hover in the sky, signifying divine sanction for the meeting and the orders that will follow. The scene thus becomes more than a historic moment: it is a theological affirmation of the Franciscan and Dominican vocations under the auspices of the Church. The overall mood is peaceful, reflective and steeped in devotion—the painting invites the viewer to consider the spiritual solidarity and shared purpose of the two mendicant saints as much as the event itself.

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This image is a public domain image, which means either that copyright has expired in the image or the copyright holder has waived their copyright. Franciscan Gallery charges for the access to high resolution copy of the image. Manually restoration was necessary in order to improve quality, without covering the original image.