Heilige Franciscus ontvangt de stigmata 1597

This engraving, “Heilige Franciscus ontvangt de stigmata”, was created in 1597 by Francesco Villamena, a renowned Italian artist born in 1565 and who died in 1624. The work depicts a key moment in the life of Saint Francis of Assisi, his receiving of the stigmata, which are the wounds of Christ on his hands, feet, and side. This is a powerful depiction of the event, featuring Saint Francis in a dramatic pose, arms outstretched towards a radiant figure of Christ descending from heaven, surrounded by clouds and light. The detail and emotion of the piece convey the significance of this event for Saint Francis and for Christians.