H. Franciscus ontvangt de stigmata 1659 - 1695

Jean-Baptiste Corneille’s etching illustrates the moment St. Francis receives the stigmata. Bathed in divine light, St. Francis kneels, arms outstretched, mirroring the pose of Christ on the cross. Above him, a seraphim brings the marks of crucifixion. This motif of divine light and miraculous marking echoes across cultures. We see similar imagery in depictions of saints receiving divine inspiration or, indeed, in ancient myths of gods bestowing gifts or curses. The stigmata itself, the physical wounds of Christ, can be seen as a symbol of empathy and shared suffering that transcends religious boundaries. Consider, too, the evolution of outstretched arms, from supplication to a symbol of universal welcome, ingrained deep within our collective consciousness. The emotional power here lies in the tangible representation of spiritual experience, engaging viewers with the profound connection between suffering and the divine. A motif whose interpretation and emotional resonance evolves, yet constantly resurfaces across history.