Saint Francis of Assisi
Saint Francis of Assisi is Umbria’s most famous saint and one the most well known saints in the world. During his lifetime he preached the need to follow a simple way of living and started a huge religious revival. This back to basics interpretation of Christianity probably wasn’t what the wealthy church hierarchy wanted to hear, however, his popular movement was assimilated within the church where the Franciscan Order could be kept “on message”.
Portrait of St. Francis by Cimabue, Giotto's Teacher, Lower Basilica, Assisi, Umbria
The Basilica of Saint Francis, Assisi
Look in any town in Tuscany and Umbria and the Franciscan church is likely to be the largest church, sometimes rivalled but rarely surpassed in size by that of the Dominican order. The importance of Saint Francis to the Catholic Church is clearly demonstrated by the size of the double Basilica built in his memory and the use of the leading artists of the day to decorate it. St. Francis asked to be buried at the part of town where criminals were executed. His wish was followed up to a point, the huge Basilica of Saint Francis was built over the area and his body buried in a secret crypt to prevent the nearby Perugians from stealing it. Today, the Basilica of Saint Francis is home to best collection of medieval paintings in the world.
Nativity Scene at Greccio. Attributed to Giotto, Assisi, Umbria Italy
Giotto’s Saint Francis Fresco Cycle
The Upper Basilica houses the great St. Francis fresco cycle, usually attributed to Giotto, but subject to bitter dispute within the world of art historians. These large frescoes are superb; they show human figures and architecture placed spatially within the painting. This was revolutionary art for its time, although simple in composition, the paintings show depth, movement and the beginnings of perspective, it is thought that the frescoes were painted around 1290.
Homage of a Simple Man. Attributed to Giotto, Assisi, Umbria, Italy
In the background of this painting you can see the Temple of Minerva, a Roman building that still stands in the main piazza in Assisi.
Preaching before Pope Honorius III. Attributed to Giotto, Assisi, Umbria, Italy
St Francis Giving His Cloak to a Poor Man. Attributed to Giotto. Assisi, Umbria
The Confirmation of the Rule. Attributed to Giotto, Assisi, Umbria
In this fresco, Pope Innocent III establishes the Franciscan Order. This was the same Pope who launched a crusade against the Cathars in the Languedoc region of France. The Cathars’ beliefs led to accusations of heresy, although the crusade also had a political element and conveniently ended their independent kingdoms. Saint Francis of Assisi was fortunate that his radical preaching did not end in him being branded a heretic along with the Cathars, instead , this politically astute and ruthless Pope absorbed him and his followers into the Church.
The Vision of the Chariot of Fire
St, Francis Expels The Demons From Arezzo. Attributed to Giotto, Assisi, Umbria
The Miracle of the Spring. Attributed to Giotto, Assisi, Umbria, Italy.
St. Francis Preaching To The Birds. Attributed to Giotto, Assisi, Umbria
The story shows St. Francis‘ religious awakening, important events and miracles from his life, his death and finally, his posthumous miracles. If these were the only paintings in the Basilica, they would be worth making a long journey to see, however there are frescoes by Cimabue, Ambrogio Lorenzetti, Simone Martini, Cavallini and others. I shall write about these in other posts.
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Assisi and Giotto’s frescoes in the Basilica of St. Francis are close to Gorgacce Rentals‘ Villas, Farmhouses & Apartments on the Tuscany Umbria Border. To rent Villas in Tuscany and Umbria visit Gorgacce Rentals, Tuscany Villas, Umbria Villas
Tags: Art, Assisi, Giotto, History, Holiday, Holidays, Italian Art, Italy, italy villas, Medieval art, Renaissance Art, Rental, rental villa, Rentals, St. Francis, Travel, Tuscany, Umbria, umbria villas, Villa, Villa Rentals, Villas
June 6, 2009 at 13:30 |
[...] the Upper Basilica, Giotto’s use of spatial composition had revolutionised art; he placed human figures within [...]
June 10, 2009 at 17:33 |
[...] most famous frescoes are the 28 panels depicting the story of St. Francis attributed to Giotto: Giotto’s St. Francis Frescoes. These large panels (painted around 1290) are easy to see because of their position low on the [...]
June 13, 2009 at 13:22 |
[...] interesting to compare the Life of St. Francis by Benozzo Gozzoli with the frescoes in the Basilica of St Francis in nearby Assisi. You can see how art had progressed in 200 years, it’s also interesting to [...]