St. Francis (?) 1625 - 1701

Pierre Landry created this print, “St. Francis (?)” in the 17th century. The grayscale image, dominated by vertical lines and stark contrasts, depicts a moment of profound spiritual contemplation. The composition is structured around the figure of St. Francis, his gaze lifted towards an unseen light, contrasted by the concerned onlookers. Landry’s use of line, particularly in the rendering of the robes and faces, creates a sense of depth and texture. The architectural backdrop and the figures, tightly packed, create a claustrophobic space that directs our focus to St. Francis's transcendent expression. The formal elements—the stark lighting, the careful arrangement of figures, and the detailed etching—converge to create a semiotic space rich with religious and philosophical meaning. The halo that hovers above Saint Francis’s head destabilizes the established understanding of the physical world. It invites us to consider the tensions between earthly observation and divine experience. It leaves us to contemplate the power of faith and the artist's ability to capture such nuanced meaning through form.