Saint Francis of Assisi and scenes of his life by Bonaventura Berlinghieri, 1235

Bonaventura Berlinghieri’s 1235 altarpiece is a stunning tribute to Saint Francis of Assisi, painted just a few years after his canonization. This Italo-Byzantine masterpiece, housed in the Church of San Francesco in Pescia, captures Francis in a solemn, elongated form, surrounded by six detailed scenes from his life. The gold background radiates a divine aura, emphasizing his spiritual significance. The delicate yet expressive figures bring his miracles and devotion to life, making this one of the earliest known painted portraits of the saint. It’s a mesmerizing glimpse into medieval religious art and Franciscan devotion!

Bonaventura Berlinghieri was a 13th-century Italian painter from Lucca, known for his Italo-Byzantine style and religious compositions. Active during the early Gothic period, he was part of a family of painters and is best remembered for his 1235 altarpiece Saint Francis of Assisi and Scenes of His Life. His work reflects the Byzantine influence of elongated figures, gold backgrounds, and stylized facial expressions, emphasizing spiritual presence over naturalism. Berlinghieri’s contributions played a key role in early Franciscan art, helping to shape the visual narrative of Saint Francis’s life shortly after his canonization.

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