Saint Francis and the Lepers Evelyn Paul 1911

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Saint Francis of Assisi Tending Lepers, by  Evelyn Paul (1911)

In this moving image, Saint Francis is shown outside the walls of Assisi, where communities of lepers lived in isolation. He bends forward to offer bread to a leprous woman, while a young child follows behind him, carrying two baskets filled with food. The lepers are partially covered, an attempt both to shield their open wounds and to prevent the spread of the disease. Leprosy was feared not only for its physical suffering, but for its contagious nature; most people avoided contact entirely. In contrast, Francis approaches without hesitation, embodying the radical compassion that defined his life of voluntary poverty and penance.

This moment reflects one of the most decisive episodes in the saint’s spiritual journey. According to Franciscan tradition, his encounter with lepers marked a turning point — an act that required overcoming fear, revulsion, and social boundaries. What others rejected, Francis embraced, recognizing Christ in the suffering and marginalized. The quiet gesture of offering bread becomes a profound statement of humility and love, transforming an everyday act of charity into a sacred encounter.

The illustration is a colour lithograph by Evelyn Maude Blanche Paul (1883–1963), a British artist best known for her book illustrations inspired by medieval and early Renaissance art. Her work reflects Gothic, Arts and Crafts, and Pre-Raphaelite influences, particularly the legacy of Dante Gabriel Rossetti. Paul’s figures are tender and restrained, emphasizing moral clarity and spiritual intimacy rather than dramatic spectacle, reinforcing the tenderness of the scene.

The use of colour lithography allows for soft transitions of tone and warm harmonies, its soft tonal transitions and luminous warmth. Originally intended for reproduction and wide circulation, works like this helped bring sacred narratives into everyday life, making Francis’s radical act of mercy accessible to a broad audience. In this image, the saint’s gesture remains timeless — a reminder that holiness often reveals itself in the simplest acts of closeness and care, a loving gesture that crosses every boundary imposed by society or illness.

Stories from Dante: S Francis of Assisi tending Lepers (colour litho). Artist Paul, Evelyn (1883-1963)

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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.