Saint Francis in Meditation (Caravaggio) explained

St Francis in Meditation
Artist:Caravaggio
Medium:Oil on canvas
Height Metric:130
Width Metric:90
Metric Unit:cm
Imperial Unit:in
Museum:Museo Civico, Cremona

Saint Francis in Meditation (c. 1604/06 or 1607/10), is a painting by the Italian master Caravaggio, in the Museo Civico, Cremona.

This is one of two paintings of almost identical measurements showing Saint Francis of Assisi contemplating a skull (see Saint Francis in Prayer) - neither is documented and both are disputed, although the dispute is as to whether they are originals or copies. The dating of both is highly uncertain, although the cypress trunk behind this Saint Francis is very reminiscent of the tree behind the Corsini John the Baptist.

Background

St Francis was a popular subject during the Counter-Reformation, when the Church stressed - at least officially - the virtues of poverty and the imitation of Christ.

See also

References

External links