Saint Francis 16th-17th century

Editor: This is Philippe Thomassin's "Saint Francis." I'm immediately struck by how the landscape seems to dwarf St. Francis. What stories do you think this engraving is telling? Curator: The prominence of the landscape invites us to consider the relationship between the individual and the natural world, a theme deeply embedded in the Franciscan tradition. But I am more interested in the iconography and how it reifies power structures during the Counter-Reformation. How might this depiction of Saint Francis serve as a tool for religious authority? Editor: So, it’s not just about piety, but also about projecting power? Curator: Precisely. This image participates in a broader discourse about control, authority, and the Church’s role in shaping individual spirituality and societal order. Editor: That really changes how I see it. Thanks!