Saint Clare Ora Pro Nobis

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Saint Clare of Assisi. Hispano-Flemish School, 15th Century. 

Inscribed: · SANCTA · CLARA · / ORA · PRO NOBIS. Oil on panel.

This refined panel painting presents Saint Clare of Assisi as a serene and contemplative figure, standing against a deep black background that heightens both her presence and her sanctity. She is shown holding a monstrance in one hand and the Holy Scriptures in the other—two attributes that unmistakably identify her and recall her unwavering devotion to the Eucharist. Her pale, luminous complexion contrasts gently with her dark veil, while her delicate hands emerge from the wide sleeves of a light brown habit, a variation of the traditional dress of the Poor Clares. Above and around her head, elegant gold inscriptions read SANCTA CLARA and ORA PRO NOBIS, forming both a halo of prayer and a visual invocation: “Saint Clare, pray for us.” Continue reading after advertisement

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The composition reflects the devotional character typical of the Hispano-Flemish school of the 15th century, a tradition known for its quiet intensity, careful attention to surface detail, and restrained emotional expression. Saint Clare’s slightly inclined head and softened gaze convey humility and interior recollection rather than dramatic gesture. The gold lettering and finely rendered objects—especially the monstrance—add a subtle richness to the otherwise austere image, balancing Franciscan poverty with the sacred dignity of her vocation. The black background serves not as emptiness, but as a contemplative space, drawing the viewer into a silent encounter with the saint. Continue reading after advertisement

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From a technical standpoint, the painting is oil on panel, executed on a single wooden board with an integrated frame partially carved from the support and further built up with applied wood elements. The surface is currently covered by a heavily aged and discolored varnish, which imparts a warm amber tonality to the image. Despite this, the paint layer remains generally well preserved, with only minor scattered losses that have been sensitively restored. Areas of retouching are visible beneath the varnish in the clothing, and the red lake pigment used for the book shows expected wear along the craquelure. Continue reading after advertisement

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Overall, the panel is structurally sound and in good condition. Cleaning to remove the yellowed varnish would significantly brighten the composition and restore much of its original clarity, while only limited additional retouching would be necessary. The restrained condition issues—such as localized lifting paint and small restored losses—do not detract from the devotional power of the image. Instead, they remind us of the painting’s long history of prayer, veneration, and careful preservation, making this portrayal of Saint Clare both a work of art and a quiet witness to centuries of faith.

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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.