Capela das Almas: St. Francis Embracing Christ on the Cross

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Located on the left section of the lateral wall of Capela das Almas, this azulejo panel depicts St. Francis embracing the crucified Christ, who leans down from the cross toward him, a composition based on Bartolomé Esteban Murillo’s painting Saint Francis Embracing Christ on the Cross (1668–1669, now in the Museum of Fine Arts of Seville), originally created for the Capuchin monastery church in that city.

An important detail retained from Murillo’s painting is the globe beneath St. Francis’s right foot. It symbolizes his renunciation of worldly possessions and earthly attachments in favor of a life devoted completely to Christ. In Murillo’s original painting, two cherubs hold an open book containing words associated with the Gospel of Luke: “Whoever does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.”

The azulejo panel retains the central image of Francis embracing Christ but expands Murillo’s composition. Four additional figures, two on either side, witness the embrace, while an angel appears in the clouds above. The two women on the right are likely the Virgin Mary and Mary Magdalene, and as seen in the image, one of them gestures toward the landscape.

This panel keeps the basic spirit of Murillo’s painting but includes additional figures to emphasize the importance of the event.

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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