Saint Francis of Assisi 

Frank Cadogan Cowper painted this depiction of Saint Francis of Assisi, sometime in the early twentieth century. The painting brings together the earthly and the divine: Saint Francis kneels surrounded by doves, listening to an angel playing the violin in a tree above him. Cowper's painting reflects the enduring popularity of Saint Francis as a figure representing spiritual devotion. But it also reflects the complex institutional history of the Catholic Church in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. During this time, the church faced challenges to its authority from science, secularism, and political liberalism. By emphasizing the personal piety and connection to nature embodied by Saint Francis, the church sought to reaffirm its moral authority and spiritual relevance. The appeal to emotion and the celebration of religious experience are visual strategies that allow us to reflect on the changing relationship between religion, society, and culture in the modern era. Analyzing the artwork in its specific historical context allows us to understand its cultural significance and enduring appeal.