Saint Francis of Assisi embracing the crucified Christ 

Bartolomé Estebán Murillo painted “Saint Francis of Assisi embracing the crucified Christ” using oil on canvas. Oil painting is a slow, layered process, a world away from fresco which would have been common for earlier religious imagery. Looking closely, you can see how Murillo used the fluidity of oil paint, to convey the weight of Christ’s body. Notice how the brushwork softens the figure of Christ, almost dissolving as he is embraced by Saint Francis. In contrast, Murillo uses a thicker, more textured application of paint to highlight the coarse fabric of Saint Francis’s robe, grounding him in earthy reality. The choice of materials and the application reveals a deep understanding of the subject. Oil paint becomes a tool to evoke empathy for the suffering of Christ, while also reminding us of the material world that framed his sacrifice. Murillo elevates the status of painting through his virtuoso command of the medium. By doing so, he bridges the gap between the everyday and the divine.