
Saint Francis in Ecstasy
1480 · The Frick Collection, New York City
Francis steps barefoot from his hermitage into a light coming from the left, and Bellini gives him no seraph and barely any wounds.
★ 8.0

Francis steps barefoot from his hermitage into a light coming from the left, and Bellini gives him no seraph and barely any wounds.

Golden rays come off a winged crucified figure in the sky and strike Francis in the hands, feet and side. Giotto signed this one.

Two trees, a strip of ground, and a flock that stays to listen. Giotto tells the miracle as though it simply happened.

The same story at miniature scale, squeezed into a predella panel, and Giotto loses none of the plainness that made it convincing.