The artwork, titled “Stigmatization of St. Francis”, was created by the artist Giotto between the years 1297 and 1300. This fresco, belonging to the Proto Renaissance art movement, measures 270 by 230 centimeters and is part of the “Legend of St. Francis” series. The religious painting is housed in the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, located in Assisi, Italy.
In this fresco, St. Francis of Assisi is depicted experiencing the sacred phenomenon of the stigmata, where he receives the wounds of Christ. St. Francis is seen kneeling on rocky terrain, his gaze directed towards a seraph-winged figure emanating divine light and energy, symbolizing a divine encounter. To the right, a monk is seated, engrossed in reading, perhaps embodying the contemplation and witness to the miraculous event. The composition is rich with natural and architectural elements, including mountains, trees, and small chapels, integrating the mystical with the earthly. Giotto’s use of vivid colors and his masterful depiction of human emotion and divine radiance exemplify the profound spiritual narrative embodied in this significant work of religious art.
