De heilige Franciscus, knielend voor crucifix 1590 - 1632

This is an engraving titled "De heilige Franciscus, knielend voor crucifix," made by Pieter de Jode I. Notice how the composition is organized around a stark contrast between light and shadow, which directs our gaze from the illuminated figure of St. Francis to the dark, brooding landscape. The artist uses the lines of the engraving to create a sense of depth, with the crucifix and skull in the foreground drawing our attention to themes of mortality and salvation. The texture of the trees and the folds of St. Francis' robe are rendered with a precision that invites us to consider the material reality of the scene. De Jode's work engages with the semiotic language of religious art; a halo is a signifier of holiness, while the crucifix is a potent symbol of sacrifice. Yet, the artist complicates these established meanings, drawing on a tradition where spiritual devotion is intimately linked with personal introspection. The tension between light and shadow suggests a space where fixed meanings can shift and evolve.