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El Greco , Greek, 1541-1614

Title

Saint Francis Receiving the Stigmata

Date1590-1595

MediumOil on canvas

Dimensions

114 x 104 cm

Credit LinePresented, Sir Hugh Lane, 1914

Object numberNGI.658

DescriptionSt Francis of Assisi is said to have experienced a mystical vision at Mount Alvernia in 1224, during which he received the Stigmata (wounds of the crucified Christ).

This is one of a number of pictures that El Greco made on the subject of the life of St Francis. As the saint looks heavenwards, turbulent clouds frame his body and seem to reflect his inner state. The marks of the stigmata are visible on his right palm. The skull acts as a physical reminder of human mortality.
ProvenanceIn the collection of Ricardo Pascual Conde de Quinto, Madrid, in the nineteenth century; purchased in Paris, possibly from Durand-Ruel by Sir Hugh Lane; by 1913 in the collection of Sir Hugh Lane, by whom presented in 1914.Exhibition HistoryExhibition of Old Spanish Masters, Grafton Galleries, Dublin, 1913-1914

After Restoration, The Prado, Madrid, 1951-1952

Centenary Exhibition, National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin, October - December 1964

From Titian to Delacroix: Masterpieces from the National Gallery of Ireland, Yokohama Sogo Museum of Art, 25 August 1993 - 17 October 1993; Chiba Sogo Museum of Art, 10 November 1993 - 20 December 1993; Prefectural Museum of Art, Yamaguchi, 5 January 1994 - 20 February 1994; Kobe City Museum, 25 February 1994 - 10 April 1994; Isetan Museum of Art, 14 April 1994 - 24 May 1994

European Masterpieces from the National Gallery of Ireland, National Gallery, Canberra, 25 June 1994 - 3 October 1994; Art Gallery of New South Wales, 21 October 1994 - 15 January 1995

Lines of Vision. Irish Writers at the National Gallery of Ireland, 8 October 2014 —12 April 2015

Saint Francis of Assisi, National Gallery, London, 03 May 2023 - 30 July 2023

Label TextDomenikos Theotokopoulos, known as El Greco, was a Greek artist active in his native Crete, in Italy and, during the second half of his life, in Spain. He was one of the most original painters of his time, blending the Byzantine style of his early work with Italian and Spanish Baroque influences. Dating to his Spanish period, this compelling work represents Saint Francis of Assisi experiencing a mystical vision during which he received stigmata (wounds corresponding to those left on Christ’s hands during the Crucifixion). The saint is placed against a bright blue sky with tempestuous clouds, which give the painting a spiritual intensity.