Capela das Almas: The Death of St. Francis of Assisi

The Death of St. Francis of Assisi
Located on the right section of the lateral wall of Capela das Almas, this azulejo panel depicts the Death of St. Francis of Assisi, confirmed by the inscription at the bottom of the panel, “Morte de S. Francisco de Assis” (“Death of St. Francis of Assisi”). This is the final scene in the life of St. Francis of Assisi, narrated in sequence in the azulejo artwork.

As seen in the image, St. Francis is laid out on a draped bier within a beautiful church interior showing columns of the nave and an altar inside the apse. The scene is solemn, with grieving friars in Franciscan habits surrounding the body — some holding his hands and feet, others holding tall processional crosses, candles, and staffs. A bishop, identifiable by his mitre and crozier, stands at the head of the gathering, appearing to recite prayers from a book.

Above the death scene, a haloed figure with arms raised, surrounded by other haloed and winged figures, likely represents St. Francis’s soul attaining heavenly glory. This is a common convention in Christian art, pairing a heavenly counterpart with the earthly death scene.

With this panel, the St. Francis narrative traced across this chapel’s exterior, his embrace of the crucified Christ, his audience before Pope Honorius III, his preaching to the birds, his miracle of the spring, and his stigmata on Mount La Verna, reaches its conclusion.

Explore more about Capela das Almas
Post
– Capela das Almas: Two Saints, One Building
Pages
– Capela das Almas: Azulejo-Covered Façade and Lateral Wall
– Capela das Almas de Santa Catarina: Official Plaque Placed by Porto City Council
Life of St. Francis of Assisi
– 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
Life of St. Catherine of Alexandria
– Capela das Almas: The Mystical Marriage of St. Catherine
– Capela das Almas: The Martyrdom of St. Catherine of Alexandria
– Capela das Almas: Debate, Victory, and Martyrdom — The Story of St. Catherine

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