Stigmatta by Alonso Cano 1651
Stigmatization of Saint Francis, Alonso Cano, 1651
This canvas was originally created for the chapel dedicated to Saint Francis at the Franciscan convent of Santa María de Jesús, also known as San Diego de Alcalá. Although Alonso Cano left Alcalá before completing all of the paintings for the chapel, the remaining works were later finished by Francisco de Zurbarán, another major figure in Franciscan visual culture. This collaboration between two leading artists of the Spanish Baroque makes the ensemble historically significant. Oil on canvas, Spain, 1651.
Unlike many depictions of the stigmatization, which show the event occurring in the solitude of night, Cano places the scene in broad daylight. This choice allows for a radiant use of color and clear, gentle illumination. The warm earth tones of the rocky landscape and the soft blues and creams of the sky create a serene atmosphere rather than a dramatic or mystical one. The light falls directly on Francis, highlighting the moment of grace with clarity rather than mystery. The angelic seraph is tender rather than overpowering, emphasizing divine closeness and quiet revelation. Cano’s composition invites contemplation, portraying the miracle as something intimate, luminous, and profoundly human.
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