Unknown Artist, German, 17th century, St. Francis of Assisi in Ecstasy, red chalk, 13 1/8 x 11 1/8 in., Saint Vincent Archabbey Collection.
The irregular shape of this drawing is indicative of several drawings within the collection, suggesting it was cut down from a larger sheet. Latin writing in ink on the verso of the piece states: “Nr. 83 Domenichino, fecit,” purporting that the work is by the famed Bolognese School artist, Domenico “Domenichino” Zampieri (1581–1641). While skillfully rendered, it is more likely to be authored by a German hand.
Drawn in sanguine, Saint Francis of Assisi (1181–1226) is depicted recumbent on a stone staircase holding a cross in his right hand. In his Life of St. Francis, Saint Bonaventure (1221–1274) describes the divine encounter Francis had with a vision of a Man crucified surrounded by the wings of a Seraph, resulting in his reception of Christ’s five wounds of stigmata. The artist has placed a lamb quietly sleeping in the background of the scene with eyes closed, mirroring those of the Italian mystic.
Drawn in sanguine, Saint Francis of Assisi (1181–1226) is depicted recumbent on a stone staircase holding a cross in his right hand. In his Life of St. Francis, Saint Bonaventure (1221–1274) describes the divine encounter Francis had with a vision of a Man crucified surrounded by the wings of a Seraph, resulting in his reception of Christ’s five wounds of stigmata. The artist has placed a lamb quietly sleeping in the background of the scene with eyes closed, mirroring those of the Italian mystic.
