H. Franciscus van Assisi ondersteund door engelen 1619 - 1643

Lucas Vorsterman the First created this print of Saint Francis of Assisi, sometime in the 17th century. Vorsterman was working in a Northern European cultural context still very much defined by the religious wars of the prior century. Here, St. Francis is rendered as a figure of divine grace, surrounded by angels, one of whom plays the violin. He is shown with the stigmata, wounds mirroring those of Christ, and a skull rests at his feet, a reminder of mortality. The print invites contemplation on themes of faith, suffering, and redemption. But, consider how Francis’s identity—his commitment to poverty and service to the poor—challenges the norms of wealth and power. This image is a testament to the enduring power of religious iconography to convey complex spiritual and social messages, reminding us of the ongoing dialogue between art, belief, and the human condition.