The Franciscan 1929

"The Franciscan" (1929) is a lithograph by Mexican artist José Clemente Orozco (1883-1949), notable for its strong black and white contrast. The artwork depicts a Franciscan monk embracing a skeletal, emaciated figure, likely representing the suffering of the poor and oppressed. Orozco, known for his politically charged social realism, uses the image to evoke both compassion and a sense of social injustice, making it a powerful commentary on the realities of poverty and the need for empathy. The artwork is housed at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City.