Madonna in Gloria Saints Francis and Chiara

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Madonna in Gloria with Saints Francis and Clare
School of Fabriano (Central Italy)
c. 1360–1380

In this compelling depiction of Saint Francis of Assisi, the saint stands or kneels in solitary devotion, his arms outstretched to reveal the marks of the stigmata on his hands, feet, and side. His head is uncovered—a subtle departure from many Franciscan depictions—and his brown habit, tied with the familiar three‑knotted cord, folds naturally around his form, emphasizing both humility and dignity.

At his feet, a skull rests on a ledge or simple altar, offering a silent reminder of mortality and the transience of earthly life. The background recedes into deep shadow, isolating the figure and heightening the intensity of his spiritual gaze. The lack of distracting detail places the viewer squarely in Francis’s inner world of prayer and penance.

Although the exact author remains unidentified, the style echoes elements of late‑Mannerist and early Baroque devotional painting—particularly the use of chiaroscuro and the introspective spiritual tone associated with followers of El Greco or the Spanish “nocturne” tradition. The image thus fits comfortably into your chapter as a significant example of Franciscan iconography in the early modern period.

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