Canonization of St Francis 1300

Giotto painted this fresco, entitled "Canonization of St. Francis," at the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi. Dominating the scene is a raised platform upon which the saint’s body rests, surrounded by a dense gathering of figures. Consider the symbol of the elevated platform, reminiscent of the "sedes," or throne, a motif that harkens back to ancient Roman and Byzantine imperial imagery. This architectural symbol denotes authority and sanctity. Note the multitude of figures surrounding the platform. Their collective gaze directed towards the saint’s body suggests a shared emotional experience, a communal witnessing. This act of bearing witness is itself a potent symbol, recurring in scenes from antiquity to the Renaissance, representing the power of collective memory. The intensity and sheer number of figures— conveys the depth of the community’s devotion to St. Francis. This is a powerful image engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. Such symbols are not linear; they resurface and evolve.