Description
The painting "The Last Communion of St Francis" by Peter Paul Rubens is a Flemish Baroque masterpiece featuring a dramatic and emotional composition. The painting shows Saint Francis of Assisi on his deathbed, receiving communion from a priest as Franciscan brothers surround him in a scene of great devotion.
Rubens uses a loose, vibrant brushwork technique to create a sense of movement and life in the scene. Bright, saturated colors, such as the deep red of Saint Francis' robes and the golden glow of the host, highlight the importance of the religious ceremony.
The composition of the painting is impressive, with a diagonal running across the scene from top left to bottom right, creating a sense of depth and perspective. Carefully rendered details, such as the wrinkles in the Franciscan brothers' robes and emotional facial expressions, add a realistic, human touch to the work.
The history of the painting is interesting, as it was commissioned by the Capuchin Convent in Ghent, Belgium, to commemorate the death of its founder, Father Joseph van den Berghe. The painting was completed in 1639, and has been kept in the convent church ever since.
A little-known aspect of the painting is that Rubens did not completely complete it on his own. His collaborator, Erasmus Quellinus II, painted the figure of the priest who administers communion to Saint Francis. However, the collaboration between the two artists is so perfect that it is difficult to distinguish between the two hands in the final work.
In short, "The Last Communion of St Francis" is a Flemish Baroque masterpiece that showcases Rubens' ability to create dramatic and emotional compositions. The loose brushwork technique, vibrant colors, and attention to detail make this painting an impressive and moving work.