Saint Francis 1956

Curator: Let's consider Emil Weddige's "Saint Francis" from 1956, a print using mixed media and watercolor to depict the iconic saint. Editor: The first word that comes to mind is “tender”. It’s like peering into a faded dream, all gentle browns and greens cradling this ethereal figure. It's lovely, almost melancholy. Curator: Absolutely, it evokes a contemplative mood. Weddige's expressionistic style captures the saint's humility and connection to nature, which aligns with interpretations of Saint Francis as an activist, dedicated to caring for the marginalized. Editor: Yes, but even in that tenderness, I feel a kind of struggle, an interiority. The brushstrokes are rough in places, the colors muted, giving the piece this compelling vulnerability. It’s not just some perfect saint, floating above the earthly muck. He seems... human. Curator: I agree. The "figuration" within this piece suggests complex understandings of religious iconography that emerged post-World War II in the U.S.. The prints are more like narratives than traditional depictions. It reminds us how religious figures often symbolize political and social advocacy, particularly within liberation theologies. Editor: Right. It's this friction that gives it its power. Look how the birds almost seem like part of Francis himself. They emerge from the shadows alongside him. Beautiful how he merges the subject with their surrounding environment. Curator: Weddige seems intent on showcasing Saint Francis not as a detached holy figure, but as someone profoundly intertwined with the suffering world he sought to heal. Editor: Thinking about it now, this is what touches me. I didn't think about those suffering the world while looking, but now I recognize that’s what this captures in its humble embrace of earthly tones and gentle light. Curator: It is quite compelling. By positioning Saint Francis within broader narratives of social justice, we can examine how notions of sainthood can continue to motivate discussions on social justice. Editor: It’s like the painting whispers, "Even in the darkest shades, kindness can still bloom." A simple but vital message.