De heilige Franciscus van Assisi 1585

This engraving of Saint Francis of Assisi was made in Rome in 1585 by an anonymous artist. During the Counter-Reformation, images of saints were powerful tools for the Catholic Church to inspire faith. Here, Francis is shown in quiet contemplation with the cross and a skull, symbols of Christ's sacrifice and mortality. What does it mean to choose a life of poverty and devotion? Francis, who gave up a life of wealth, inspires us to reflect on value and meaning. The halo suggests his holiness, but his worn clothes and bare feet remind us of his humanity. The natural setting emphasizes his connection to the earth and all living things. Francis was known for his love of nature and his dedication to the poor. How might his example challenge us to reconsider our own relationship to material possessions and spiritual values? This image invites us to contemplate a radical form of love and simplicity.