Saint Clare by Lopez Polanco

 

English

Saint Clare of Assisi. Attributed to Andrés López Polanco (1570–1641)

Andres Lopez Polanco was a Spanish painter active during the late Renaissance and early Baroque periods. Born in Valladolid around 1570, he worked at the courts of Kings Philip III and Philip IV, where he became known primarily for his portraits of the Spanish nobility and members of the royal family. A disciple of Bartolome Gonzalez, López Polanco adopted the refined courtly style characteristic of Madrid's artistic circles in the early seventeenth century, while also producing religious paintings marked by restrained elegance and careful attention to detail.

This painting portrays Saint Clare of Assisi, the faithful companion of Saint Francis and foundress of the Order of Poor Ladies, today known as the Poor Clares. She is represented standing calmly, clothed in the simple Franciscan habit and black veil of her Order. In her hands she holds a magnificent monstrance, recalling one of the most celebrated episodes of her life. According to tradition, when Saracen soldiers threatened the monastery of San Damiano in 1240, Clare asked that the Blessed Sacrament be brought before the convent. Holding the Eucharist aloft, she prayed fervently, and the attackers were miraculously driven away, making the monstrance one of her principal attributes in Christian art. Beside her she carries a crozier, an unusual but symbolic element emphasizing her role as abbess and spiritual mother of the Poor Clares. Continue reading after advertisement

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The composition is carefully balanced between contemplation and narrative. Saint Clare occupies the foreground in quiet dignity, softly illuminated against a dark architectural setting that enhances the serenity of her expression. Behind her, a secondary scene unfolds in the distance: Franciscan nuns kneel in prayer before the monastery while armed soldiers retreat amid confusion, visually recalling the miraculous defense of San Damiano. This narrative background enriches the portrait by connecting the saint's peaceful presence with the miracle that secured her place in Christian tradition. The subdued palette, flowing folds of the habit, and gentle modeling of the face reflect the sober spirituality favored by Spanish Baroque religious painting.

Beyond commemorating a miraculous event, the painting celebrates Saint Clare's unwavering faith in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Rather than portraying physical strength or military triumph, the artist emphasizes the victory of prayer, humility, and trust in God. Through the juxtaposition of the tranquil saint and the dramatic scene in the background, the work becomes a visual testimony to the Franciscan ideals of poverty, contemplation, and complete confidence in divine providence—virtues that have inspired generations of Poor Clares and Franciscan faithful alike.

Get 4 restored images of St. Clare (including the one featured in this post), now on sale

This image is a public domain image, which means either that copyright has expired in the image or the copyright holder has waived their copyright. Franciscan Gallery charges for the access to high resolution copy of the image. Manually restoration was necessary in order to improve quality, without covering the original image.