Stigmatta by Domenico Veneziano 1445

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The Stigmatization of Saint Francis by Domenico Veneziano, created around 1445. It’s a tempera on panel painting that was part of a predella (the lower section of an altarpiece). Veneziano was an early Italian Renaissance painter known for his use of color and light, and this work is a unique take on a very popular religious theme in Christian art.

Saint Francis is shown on the left, kneeling barefoot with arms raised in astonishment and reverence. He wears the traditional brown habit of the Franciscan order. Opposite him, an angelic, red seraph in the form of a crucified Christ with wings is flying in the sky, emitting beams of light or rays, which connect to the saint’s hands, feet, and side—signifying the reception of the stigmata, the wounds of Christ. A second monk, likely Brother Leo (a companion of Francis), sits nearby, shielding his face from the radiant vision, overwhelmed by the miraculous event.

The scene is set against a dramatic, alpine-like landscape, with jagged mountains, a river, and dark forests—evocative rather than realistic, emphasizing the mysticism of the moment. The lighting and color showcase Veneziano's early Renaissance interest in naturalism and atmospheric perspective, with the cool background contrasting the warm, divine presence of the seraph.

The Stigmatization of St. Francis refers to a mystical event believed to have occurred in 1224 on Mount La Verna, when Francis received the wounds of Christ during prayer and meditation. This event marks his intense spiritual union with Christ and is a common subject in Franciscan art.

Veneziano’s version is notable for its calm and serene rendering of a miraculous and intense moment, avoiding dramatic exaggeration in favor of contemplative emotion.

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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.