On-line gallery
- Reference number
- P01107
- Author
- Ribera, José de (Spanish)
- Title
- Saint Francis of Assisi's Vision
- Chronology
- 1636-1638
- Technique
- Support
- Measures
- 120 cm x 98 cm
- School
- Theme
- Shown
- No
- Entrance
- COLECCION REAL
- Procedence
- Royal Collection
A more than half-length depiction
of the saint, standing in front of
a skull and contemplating the angel
who shows him a glass recipient
filled with transparent water,
alluding to the purity that anyone
aspiring to the priesthood should
possess. In his humility, the saint
thinks he will never reach such
perfection and renounces the
calling. In keeping with the
mentality of the
Counterreformation, this subject
was widespread during the
seventeenth century.
The skull and whip on a stone also
allude to penitence and humility,
as does the saint's serge
clothing.
This is a work from the artist's
mature period. Echoes of tenebrism
are still discernible, with
strongly illuminated figures
emerging from the darkness, and a
careful rendering of the tactile
qualities of the objects.
