Virgin Child Saint Francis Francesco Francia

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"Madonna and Child with Saint Francis" by Francesco Francia is a serene and devotional Renaissance painting that reflects the artist’s refined style, typical of the Bolognese school in the late 15th to early 16th century. 

The painting features the Virgin Mary seated gracefully, holding the Christ Child on her lap. Mary is depicted with gentle, idealized beauty—her expression calm and contemplative. She wears traditional robes in soft shades of blue and red, symbolizing purity and divine love. The infant Jesus looks toward the viewer or his mother with a tender expression, reinforcing the human aspect of his divinity.

Standing beside them is Saint Francis of Assisi, easily recognizable by his Franciscan habit—a simple brown robe tied with a cord. He often bears the stigmata (the wounds of Christ), though in this painting they may be subtly rendered or symbolized. Saint Francis appears in a pose of humble adoration or prayer, connecting the viewer spiritually to the sacred scene.

The background is often a tranquil landscape or a softly rendered architectural setting, bathed in a warm, golden light that was characteristic of Francia’s palette. The composition is harmonious, with a clear triangular structure that focuses the viewer's attention on the Madonna and Child at the center.

The medium is oil on panel, in an early High Renaissance style, with elements of sweetness and grace typical of Francia’s work.

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This original image is in the public domain, however, the file now offered is a manually restored version of this artwork, in a higher resolution. Manually restoration was necessary in order to improve quality, without covering the original image. Imperfections due to historical aging of the source may still be present.