Vision of St Francis by Domingo Martinez
Domingo Martinez was a Spanish Baroque painter, one of the most prominent of the Sevillian school, and the dominant pictorial personality of the first half of the 18th century. He trained in Seville, one of his teachers being Lucas Valdes, son of Valdes Leal.
In 1714 he married Mariana de Espinosa with whom he had five children. Well considered within the local sphere as proven by the commissions he received from the Archbishop of Seville to create different paintings for the Cathedral.
The stay of the court of Philip V in Seville during the period 1729-1733 allowed him to come into contact with the French painters who were at its service. This influence of French painting is present in his work, although his style is a direct heir to that of Murillo. He skillfully fused Murillo's style with the spirit of French paintings. This fusion of pictorial currents gave him an intense elegance in form and spirit, which intensely raised his level of creativity to the point of becoming the richest and most famous painter in the city.
The cultural effects of the Enlightenment began to be felt in Seville, and beneficial social reforms were noted. On the other hand, the city opened towards Europe which in art meant the introduction of the Rococo style, first and then neoclassicism.
In this work we find Saint Francis before a majestic vision, that of a greater angel who, descending from heaven, presents him with a source of pure water.
Two other cherubs collaborate with the appearance. The first presents him with a Crucifix and a white lily, emphasizing that the call comes from the Lord with the first sign, and the call to Holiness, with the second.
The second cherub takes the cord symbol of the religious vows of poverty, obedience and chastity, and points to the angel with the water, while holding on to "sister death" which is represented by a skull.
Saint Francis falls to his knees before this apparition, placing both hands on his chest, once he feels pierced by the stigmata received from the Lord.
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