Heilige Franciscus het kruis kussend 1634 - 1693

Curator: Welcome. We’re standing before "Saint Francis Kissing the Cross," a compelling engraving created sometime between 1634 and 1693, attributed to Jonas Umbach, residing here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: Immediately striking! It’s like a burst of spiritual energy rendered through tight, insistent linework. The textures create this incredible vibrancy despite the modest scale. Curator: Absolutely. Umbach encapsulates the emotive Baroque style in monochrome, focusing on Saint Francis's profound moment of piety. His act of kissing the cross is charged with layered cultural symbolism—redemption, devotion, the imitatio Christi… all converge. Editor: Observe how the artist uses varied line weights to define the figure and space. The light catches the saint’s robe in sharp relief, guiding the eye. See how the landscape is only sparsely indicated, giving greater weight to Francis. Curator: And above, the cherub playing the violin... that speaks to divine grace, musical harmony descending to sanctify Francis's act. Angels, clouds, halos, and instruments often signified divine intercession. Francis lived as an expression of Christ’s earthly existence. Editor: Note too, that skull lying to Francis's right. Such a clear reminder of our inevitable fate, and his humility in the face of it. Structurally, it pulls us into the bottom right of the engraving as a counterweight to all the heavenly spectacle above. Curator: Right, "memento mori"—a classic Baroque reminder that anchors earthly life in eternity. What resonates deeply with viewers, then and now, is how Umbach portrays inner conviction with this deceptively modest and intricate visual language. Editor: Yes, beyond the religious narrative, one really has to admire the rigorous technique and overall visual impact of Umbach’s sketch. It has been quite thought-provoking looking more closely at the form and iconographical symbology presented in this piece.