Roman master; second third of the 17th century.

Spanish or Italian school; XVII century.
"St. Francis receiving the stigmata".
Oil on canvas. Relined.
Presents faults.
Measurements: 253 x 194 cm.
Baroque painting that shows St. Francis of Assisi, receiving the stigmata of Christ crucified on his hands and feet. He appears accompanied by another Franciscan saint, who huddles on the floor with his rosary, frightened by the divine apparition. Faithful to the biblical narrative, a winged Christ bursts into the sky. We could say that this work is part of the Roman school of the seventeenth century close to the works of classicist style that were postulated at that time in the city following the model of painters like the Caracci. In particular, this school could be considered among the followers of Pietro da Cortona and Andrea Sacchi. The rigor and interest of the drawing typical of the Roman school can be appreciated in this image, especially in the face of the saint. The flesh tones are perfectly defined, the sunken cheekbones, the marked dark circles under the eyes are features that reveal the great technical skill of the author, not only in terms of drawing but also in terms of theoretical knowledge. The stigmatization of St. Francis is one of the most dramatic themes of the saint's life in such a way that the author reflects it in the anatomy of the protagonist who exudes the pathos through his face and gesture where one can appreciate the fear and uneasiness regarding the divine apparition that bursts into heaven.
Legend has it that the saint's stigmation took place on Mount Albernia, a place where he had retired and where the vision of Christ with six wings, nailed to a cross, took place. In a reflex way, the wounds of Jesus were reproduced on his body. St. Francis receiving the stigmata was a popular chapter in the life of this saint born in Assisi in 1182. The son of a merchant, he abandoned the comforts of his family heritage to found one of the mendicant orders with the largest number of followers. St. Francis was canonized two years after his death, in 1228, and his biographer was Thomas of Celano. St. Francis died in the convent of the Portiuncula, a place near Assisi, where he met with his disciples. The stigmatization took place in 1224, on Mount Albernia, where the vision detailed by Thomas of Celano took place.