Description
The painting Stigmatisation of St Francis, created by the German artist Lucas Cranach the Elder, is a masterpiece of the German Renaissance. The work is in the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum in Madrid and measures 87 x 48 cm.
Cranach's artistic style is characterized by his focus on the human figure and his smooth, detailed brushwork technique. In Stigmatization of St Francis, we can appreciate the artist's ability to render human anatomy accurately and realistically. The figure of Saint Francis is represented with great expressiveness and emotion, which demonstrates the artist's ability to capture the character's essence.
The composition of the painting is very interesting. The figure of Saint Francis is at the center of the work, surrounded by a naturalistic landscape that includes trees, rocks, and a stream. The figure of the saint is at a diagonal angle, which gives a sense of movement and dynamism to the work. In addition, the figure is surrounded by angels who observe it with amazement and admiration.
The color of the paint is another interesting aspect. Cranach uses a palette of vibrant, saturated colors that give the work a sense of vitality and energy. The warm tones of the angels and the landscape contrast with the cool tones of the sky and the robe of Saint Francis, creating a sense of balance and harmony in the work.
The history of the painting is also fascinating. It is believed to have been created around 1515-1516, during the period when Cranach was working at the court of Elector Frederick the Wise in Wittenberg. The work was commissioned by the prince for his private collection and remained in the family until it was sold in the 19th century.
Finally, a little-known aspect of the work is that it was restored in the 20th century and it was discovered that it originally had a layer of varnish that gave it a darker, duller tone. The restoration allowed the work to recover its original brilliance and vibrancy, allowing us to appreciate it in all its glory.