Description
The painting St Francis of Assisi Receiving the Stigmata by Flemish artist Peter Paul Rubens is an impressive work that captures the viewer's attention from the very first moment. This masterpiece, measuring 264 x 192 cm, was created in 1625 and depicts Saint Francis of Assisi receiving the stigmata on his body.
One of the most interesting aspects of this painting is the artistic style used by Rubens. The artist uses the Flemish Baroque technique, characterized by the exaggeration of details, the intensity of color and the emotionality of the scenes represented. In this case, Rubens manages to capture the intensity of the moment in which San Francisco receives the stigmata, with a composition that conveys great strength and drama.
The composition of the work is another remarkable aspect. Rubens uses a diagonal arrangement of the characters, extending from the bottom left corner to the top right. This arrangement creates a visual movement that guides the viewer towards the center of the painting, where Saint Francis is located. In addition, the figure of the saint is in an elevated position, which gives it a greater role in the scene.
Color is another element that stands out in this work by Rubens. The artist uses a vibrant and luminous palette, in which gold, red and blue tones predominate. These colors heighten the sense of drama and emotion in the scene, and create a striking visual effect.
The history of the painting is also interesting. It was created by Rubens for the Church of Saint Francis of Assisi in Antwerp, Belgium, and quickly became one of the most important works in the church. However, during the French Revolution, the painting was confiscated and transferred to Paris. Later, it was returned to Antwerp and restored in the 19th century.
Finally, a little known aspect of the painting is that Rubens used his own image to represent one of the characters in the work. The artist portrayed himself as the man holding the open book in the lower left corner of the painting.
In conclusion, the painting St Francis of Assisi Receiving the Stigmata by Peter Paul Rubens is a masterpiece that stands out for its artistic style, composition, color and emotion. Its history and the little-known details it contains make this work even more fascinating and worthy of admiration.