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The Apparition of Christ and Our Lady of the Angels to Saint Francis at the Porziuncola

Sketch for the mural of the Basilica of San Francisco el Grande, Madrid

Oil on canvas, c. 1884

This oil sketch, painted around 1884, was created as the preparatory design for one of the monumental murals decorating the presbytery of the Basilica of San Francisco el Grande in Madrid. The composition illustrates one of the defining moments in Franciscan history: the apparition of Christ and the Virgin Mary to Saint Francis inside the humble chapel of the Porziuncola, near Assisi. According to Franciscan tradition, while the saint was absorbed in prayer, Christ appeared surrounded by angels together with Our Lady of the Angels, asking Francis what grace he desired for the salvation of souls. Francis responded by requesting a plenary indulgence for all who would visit the little church with sincere repentance and confession, a privilege that became known as the Pardon of Assisi or the Porziuncola Indulgence. Continue reading after advertisement

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The artist transforms this mystical vision into a dramatic vertical composition filled with light and movement. At the summit, the Virgin Mary appears enthroned upon luminous clouds, clothed in rich blue garments and surrounded by choirs of angels. Christ descends from the heavenly glory, carrying the Cross and extending His hand toward the kneeling Francis, who lies prostrate in profound humility before the divine presence. The swirling clouds dissolve the boundary between heaven and earth, while the angels' flowing vestments and dynamic gestures emphasize the supernatural character of the revelation. Framing the vision are monumental architectural elements that evoke the interior of a grand church, contrasting with the humble simplicity traditionally associated with the tiny chapel of the Porziuncola. Continue reading after advertisement

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The foreground is enriched with symbolic details that deepen the narrative. Liturgical furnishings, a processional cross, a thurible, richly embroidered vestments, and even a stringed musical instrument lie quietly at the foot of the composition, suggesting that earthly beauty, sacred ceremony, and artistic expression all find their fulfillment in the worship of God. At the center of this rich setting, however, Saint Francis remains the true focus. His humble posture expresses complete surrender before Christ, reminding the viewer that the extraordinary privilege of the Porziuncola Indulgence was born not from power or prestige, but from the prayer of a poor friar whose only desire was the salvation of souls.

Full work

Executed with energetic, visible brushstrokes and a luminous palette, the sketch reveals the spontaneity of the artist's creative process while anticipating the grandeur of the finished mural. Rather than carefully defining every detail, the painter uses light, color, and movement to communicate the overwhelming experience of divine revelation. The result is a deeply devotional image that celebrates one of the Franciscan Order's greatest spiritual treasures: God's abundant mercy, offered through the intercession of Saint Francis to all who seek forgiveness with a sincere heart.

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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.