A Freanciscan Saint 

Pietro Lorenzetti painted this fresco of a Franciscan Saint in Italy sometime in the early 14th century. Notice how the halo seems to be physically carved out of the wall, and the saint appears in profile. This image was made at a time when the Franciscan order was gaining considerable influence. They were known for their commitment to poverty and their focus on serving the poor, directly challenging the established church's wealth and power. We can ask: does this portrait serve as a message about the values of the Franciscan order? How might the artist's choices reflect his own social and religious beliefs? Art history helps us understand the complex relationship between art and society. By exploring historical documents, religious texts, and social histories, we can gain a deeper appreciation of this fresco and its place in the world.