Pilar Monastery Cloister: The Death of St. Francis of Assisi

St. Francis of Assisi on his deathbed
This historic mural in the cloister of the Monastery of Our Lady of Pilar in Goa, India, depicts the death of St. Francis of Assisi. According to the explanatory board at the monastery, Francis is shown receiving the last sacraments as Franciscan friars gather around him in prayer and contemplation.

As seen in the image, Francis lies at the center on a flower-covered bier, surrounded by friars, while angels attend the scene. Above them, the heavenly scene represents the risen Jesus presenting St. Francis to God the Father as his beloved disciple. The painting thus brings together Francis’s final moments on earth and his reception into heaven within a single composition.

Interestingly, the Death of St. Francis of Assisi is also depicted among the blue-and-white azulejo panels of Capela das Almas in Porto, Portugal, providing another interesting comparison of the same episode represented in two very different artistic traditions.

Paintings in the Pilar Monastery Cloister
1. Pilar Monastery Cloister: One Good Deed Wins Heaven
2. Pilar Monastery Cloister: A Good Monk’s Reward
3. Pilar Monastery Cloister: The Stigmata of St. Francis of Assisi
4. Pilar Monastery Cloister: The Death of St. Francis of Assisi
5. Pilar Monastery Cloister: Death of St. Joseph

Life of St. Francis of Assisi from Capela das Almas in Porto, Portugal
– Capela das Almas: St. Francis Receiving the Stigmata
– Capela das Almas: St. Francis Embracing Christ on the Cross
– Capela das Almas: St. Francis Preaching Before Pope Honorius III
– Capela das Almas: St. Francis Preaching to the Birds and the Miracle of the Spring
– Capela das Almas: The Death of St. Francis of Assisi

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