Heilige Franciscus van Assisi c. 1576 - 1624

This etching of Saint Francis of Assisi was created by Francesco Villamena between 1576 and 1624. The artwork portrays Saint Francis in a moment of contemplation, with his hands clasped in prayer, as he sits beside an open book and a skull. The presence of the skull, alongside the cross, symbolizes death and reminds viewers of the fleeting nature of life. Saint Francis’s contemplative pose, combined with the dramatic light and shadow, emphasizes his devotion and piety.