This remarkable early 17th-century Italian oil on panel depicts the death of Saint Francis of Assisi. It’s after a lost painting by Annibale Carracci (1560-1609) and related to three other copies, which are held in museum collections. Born circa 1181, Saint Francis was an Italian Catholic friar, venerated for his dedication to a life of poverty, preaching, and chastity. He founded the religious order of the Franciscans.

In 1224, in search of deeper contemplation, Francis retired to the wilderness with a small number of followers. Here, he pleaded with God to inflict upon him the suffering of Christ, and as a result, according to various accounts, he received the stigmata to his hands and feet, together with a stab to his heart. One of his companions, Brother Leo, referred to “a dazzling light”, “as though the heavens were exploding and splashing forth all their glory in millions of waterfalls of colours and stars”.

And “a fiery figure with wings”, which “impressed itself into his body, as into a mirrored reflection of itself, with all its love, its beauty, and its grief”, “then, with nails and wounds through his body, and with his soul and spirit aflame, Francis sank down, unconscious, in his blood”. 

Various artists have described this moment over the centuries, including Giotto (1266-1337) and Caravaggio (1571-1610), whose work from circa 1595 is similar conceptually to ours. Caravaggio’s Francis has sunken into the arms of an angel and holds his right hand to the wound on his chest.

Our version is particularly interesting as it’s after a lost oil on copper by Annibale Carracci, which is the topic of scholarly debate. The evidence for Carracci’s original is based upon a sketch and the existence of three other known copies from the period, which are held at Sheffield Museum, University of Oxford, and Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden. These are referred to as ‘The Death of St Francis (The Ecstasy of St Francis)’, ‘Saint Francis in a Swoon’, and ‘Death of St. Francis’ respectively and all three are painted on wooden panels measuring 44-48cm by 33-36cm. This is worth noting as ours measures 45cm by 35cm and dates to circa 1625.

It’s entirely conceivable that this piece was produced by a student of Carracci, following his death, and based upon a commission. As you can imagine, it was common for patrons to request copies of known works by master artists. One possibility is Sisto Badalocchio (1581/85-1647).

Held in a contemporary frame.

Medium: Oil on panel
Overall size: 17½” x 23½” / 45cm x 60cm
Year of creation: c. 1625
Labels & Inscriptions: Numbered 39 on the reverse.
Provenance: Private collection, Germany.
Condition: Cleaned. Revarnished. Areas of fine and settled craquelure, as you would expect. The paint layer is stable. Panel slightly bowed. Frame in excellent condition.
Our reference: BRV2145