Transit of Saint Francis by Domenico Bruschi 1886

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Transit (Death of Saint Francis), Domenico Bruschi, 1886

The Cappella del Transito, or Chapel of the Transit, marks the room in which Saint Francis of Assisi died on October 3, 1226. This small space originally served as a modest infirmary for sick brothers, reflecting the simplicity and humility that defined Francis’s life. According to tradition, after a life dedicated to service, penance, and the imitation of Christ, Francis passed away at a relatively young age, around forty, surrounded by his early followers. Many of these companions had embraced his radical path of poverty and fraternity, living a life modeled on the Gospel.

On the exterior of the chapel is The Transito, a fresco painted in 1886 by Domenico Bruschi. In this work, Saint Francis lies directly upon a simple tiled floor, his frail body resting peacefully. Several of his brothers kneel beside him, praying, contemplating, and mourning the passing of their spiritual father. Above the scene, three angelic figures descend swiftly from heaven to receive Francis’s soul, emphasizing his sanctity and the belief in his union with God at the moment of death.

Inside the small chapel, the commemoration continues. Above the altar is displayed the rope of Saint Francis, a tangible relic of his austere life. Behind the altar rests a glazed terracotta sculpture of Saint Francis by Andrea della Robbia (c. 1490), notable for its gentle expression and luminous surface. The walls bear a fresco painted in 1520 by Giovanni Spagna depicting four of Francis’s earliest followers, identified by name: Ruffino, Leone, Masseo, and Egidio. Together, these elements honor the memory of Francis’s final moments and the enduring legacy of the community he founded.

Domenico Bruschi, the painter of the exterior fresco, was an Italian artist and educator who worked in multiple media, designing tapestries, furniture, stucco sculpture, and stained glass. He held significant academic positions, including chair of Ornament at the Institute of Fine Arts in Rome, and was named an Academician of the Accademia di San Luca as well as Commandatore in recognition of his artistic achievements.

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