Franciscus van Assisi ontvangt de stigmata 1566 - 1572

Philippe de Soye made this engraving of Francis of Assisi receiving the stigmata sometime in the 16th century. It depicts a moment of intense religious experience, but its meaning is also tied to the social and religious upheavals of its time. The image portrays Francis in a dramatic landscape, receiving the stigmata—the wounds of Christ—while a companion looks on. Made in the Netherlands during a time of religious reformation, the print reflects the era’s focus on personal piety. The ability to read and interpret the bible for yourself was becoming more widespread. To understand the social and cultural history of this print, we might explore the history of the Franciscan order, the role of religious imagery in the Netherlands, and the impact of the Reformation on artistic production. The study of such sources helps us to understand art as a product of social and institutional forces.