Stigmatisatie van de Heilige Franciscus 1581 - 1585

Federico Barocci's etching captures Saint Francis receiving the stigmata, the wounds of Christ, a profound symbol of spiritual union and suffering. Francis kneels, arms outstretched, mirroring Christ's crucifixion, as divine rays pierce him. Consider the recurring motif of raised hands throughout art history. In ancient Egyptian art, raised hands signified adoration; in early Christian art, they denoted prayer. Here, Francis's gesture merges both, embodying his ecstatic devotion and receptivity to divine grace. The wounds themselves, appearing on his hands and feet, are a visceral echo of Christ’s sacrifice. The act of bearing witness is another crucial element, found across cultures. These witnesses, in the background, represent the importance of shared experiences, mirroring ancient rituals where communal witnessing validated events. This image resonates deep within our collective psyche, a visceral symbol of empathy, sacrifice, and the enduring quest for spiritual transcendence.