Saint Francis and Brother Leo Meditating on Death

Discussion

FROM THE BARNES FOUNDATION’S CATALOG

Saint Francis (1181–1226) kneels at the entrance to a cave, meditating on a human skull, while his friend Brother Leo clasps his hands in prayer. The skull is both the locus of contemplation and a symbol of death and hope for the afterlife. Francis was the patron saint of Toledo, El Greco's adopted home. The artist most likely created this image as a devotional aide. The otherworldly light, vibrating brushwork, and dramatically attenuated figures inspired modern artists like Cézanne and Picasso.

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