The Death of Saint Francis (La mort de St. Francois) 

Alphonse Legros made this etching, called The Death of Saint Francis, in the late 19th century. Legros, a French artist working in England, captures a particularly raw and human moment. The print shows Saint Francis of Assisi on his deathbed, surrounded by mourning monks. There is a skull in the foreground, a stark reminder of mortality. The scene is a somber reflection on faith, death, and the human condition. We are invited to consider how identity is shaped by beliefs, and how death is an unavoidable aspect of life. Legros’ choice to depict the saint's death rather than his miracles or divine experiences also invites contemplation. Francis wasn’t just a saint; he was a man who lived with a deep commitment to his faith, which ultimately led him to this mortal end. This portrayal acknowledges both the spiritual and physical aspects of his existence, and perhaps, of our own.