Annibale Carracci

The Vision of St. Francis

c. 1597
Formerly attributed to Guercino, this sketch relates instead to a small painting on copper also in the Gallery in room C205a. The drawing treats the theme of the angel presenting Saint Francis to the Christ Child in a more direct, less ethereal way. The outstretched arms of the child prefigure the Crucifixion – a subject of the greatest relevance for Saint Francis's spiritual life. Produced for a private audience, this intensely devout but profoundly mystical subject was popular in Counter-Reformation Rome.
Title
The Vision of St. Francis
Date
c. 1597
Medium
Drawing
Materials
pen and brown ink with brown wash on cream laid paper
Dimensions
20.9 x 22.6 cm
Nationality
Italian
Credit line
Purchased 1981
Accession number
26531r