Vision of St. Dominic and Meeting of St. Francis and St. Dominic 1452

Benozzo Gozzoli painted this tempera on wood panel, Vision of St. Dominic and Meeting of St. Francis and St. Dominic, in the early Renaissance. It depicts the Virgin Mary presenting Francis and Dominic as saviors to Christ. Painted in Italy, the work reflects the cultural and religious values of the time, emphasizing the importance of religious orders in society. Dominic and Francis founded the Dominican and Franciscan orders, respectively, which played significant roles in education, charity, and combating heresy. The painting’s composition also subtly conveys the social order of Renaissance Italy with the figures of Francis and Dominic in the foreground. Understanding this artwork requires delving into the history of the Dominican and Franciscan orders and Renaissance social structures. By researching period documents, we can see how Gozzoli's painting served as a visual representation of the Church’s influence.