Art in Tuscany | Master of Saint Francis | Podere Santa Pia, Holiday house in the south of Tuscany

Master of Saint Francis

Active in the third quarter of the thirteenth century, the Master of Saint Francis derives his name from a painting of Saint Francis from the Portiuncula Chapel now in Santa Maria degli Angeli at Assisi. He was also responsible for a cycle of frescoes in the nave of the Lower Church of San Francesco at Assisi.

His last known dated work is a Crucifix of 1272 in the Perugia Gallery.

The dramatic expressiveness of his style is combined with a use of line and brilliant colour and may have influenced Duccio and other painters from Siena.

Master of Saint Francis, double-sided Polyptych. Deposition. c.1272. National Gallery of Umbria, Perugia


The fresco cycle in the nave of the Lower Church
The fresco cycle in the nave of the Lower Church with five scenes from the Passion of Christ on the right wall and five scenes from the Life of St Francis on the left.

Francis preaching the birds	Lamentation over the Dead Christ	Christ on the Cross


Deposition of Christ from the Cross


Saint Francis flanked by two angels.
The panel employed in this painting was the wooden plank which served at Saint Francis’ deathbed. This is attested by the inscription in the book which the Saint holds: "HIC MIHI VIVENTI LECTUS FUIT ET MORIENTI" (This ws .my bed both in life and death". The inscription on the lower half of the panel refers to Francis' stigmata [3].
		Master of St. Francis. Saint Francis and Angels, 13th cent. , Museo della Porziuncola, Assisi
Saints Bartholomew and Simon
The present panel depicting Saints Bartholomew and Simon, one of thirteen, formed part of one of the greatest Italian altarpieces of the third quarter of the thirteenth century. It is likely that the altarpiece was commissioned for the main altar of the church of San Francesco al Prato in Perugia, where it would have stood over an early Christian sarcophagus containing the body of Saint Francis's follower, the Beato Egidio. The form of the painted arches in the altarpiece panels appears to derive from the sarcophagus, and the disposition of the two figures in the present work reflects the scheme of two figures in relief to the right of Christ on the sarcophagus [2].
		Master of Saint Francis. Double-sided Polyptych. Saints Bartholomew and Simon 1265-75, Metropolitan Museum. New York

On either side of the crucified Christ are the Three Maries and Saint John the Evangelist, with the centurion who recognised at the Crucifixion that Christ was the Son of God. The words 'Rex Gloriae' on the cross, mean 'King of Glory'. This type of crucifix was often painted on both sides and carried in religious processions. It may also have contained a relic or relics in the round cavity seen above Christ's head.
		Master of Saint Francis, detail of a crucifix, c.1265-70; egg tempera on wood National Gallery, London, probably about 1272-85, The National Gallery, London

Grande croce del Maestro di San Francesco, Chiesa di San Francesco Arezzo	Crocifisso di Londra del Maestro di San Francesco, 1272-1285 circa, National Gallery, Londra	Maestro di san francesco, croce dipinta, umbria 1262-70 ca., Musée du Louvre, Paris

Dettagli del Grande croce del Maestro di San Francesco, Chiesa di San Francesco Arezzo. Nelle tabelle alle estremità dei bracci orizzontali sono rappresentati la Madonna e san Giovanni dolenti [1].


Maestro di San Francesco, 1272, tempera e oro su tavola, 410 × 328 cm, Galleria nazionale dell'Umbria, Perugia	Maestro di San Francesco, 1272, particolare del, Galleria nazionale dell'Umbria, Perugia	Maestro di San Francesco, 1272, particolare del volto, Galleria nazionale dell'Umbria, Perugia

The Metropolitan Museum of Art \| The Treasury of Saint Francis of Assisi \| www.metmuseum.org [1] Photo in public domain. [2] Source: Master of Saint Francis, Saints Bartholomew and Simon,1266–75 \| www.metmuseum.org [3] Enzo Carli, Italian Primitives: Panel Painting of the Twelfth and Thirteenth Centuries, Abrams,. New York, 1965
Tuscany is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Known for its enchanting landscapes, its fantastic and genuine food and beautiful towns as Florence, Pisa, Lucca and Siena. The strategical geographical position in southern Tuscany will give you the opportunity of arriving in Siena and other important cities of art in Tuscany, such as San Gimignano, Volterra and Massa Marittima. The towns of Montalcino, Pienza and Montepulciano are all important provincial capitals in the area and within easy driving distance. Pienza has some wonderful views over the orchid valley below, so be sure to climb up from the Piazza Dante Alighieri to the via Santa Caterina at the edge of the town and marvel at the wonderful panorama. Treasures in southern Tuscany \| Holiday homes in the Tuscan Maremma \| Podere Santa Pia


Podere Santa Pia	Siena, Piazza del Campo	Cypress trees between San Quirico d'Orcia and Montalcino

Monte Cucco wine region	Arcidosso	Montalcino


Cortona, Santa Maria de Nuova	Orvieto, Duomo	Arezzo