St. Francis # 25
Roerich N.K. – St. Francis # 25
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Location: Nicholas Roerich Museum of the United States. New York
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"Saint Francis of Assisi" was painted by Roerich N. K. in 1932. He is the most revered Italian saint, and has been portrayed by many artists. Here, too, this distinguished author decided to paint the universal saint as he saw it himself. Francis is depicted standing on a rock, below we can see the city, which whitens among the high mountains. Above the head of the hero of the canvas shines a halo of light.
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Description of Nicholas Roerich’s painting St. Francis of Assisi
"Saint Francis of Assisi" was painted by Roerich N. K. in 1932. He is the most revered Italian saint, and has been portrayed by many artists. Here, too, this distinguished author decided to paint the universal saint as he saw it himself.
Francis is depicted standing on a rock, below we can see the city, which whitens among the high mountains. Above the head of the hero of the canvas shines a halo of light. The sunlight symbolizes the connection with something heavenly and high. The man is dressed in a long savannah with a distinctive hood.
In his left hand he holds a bird, and this animal feels protected. His hands are a haven for God’s creatures. There is enough goodness and mercy for absolutely everyone. The main quality of this saint was non-judgment. He comprehended love for all those around him by simply ceasing to judge people’s actions. This is how great wisdom came into his life. His love was pure and not platonic in nature. Only monologues with his creator and endless prayers came out of his mouth.
By popular belief, he was even able to talk the wolf out of being a cruel animal. He told the story that everyone has a choice. There is no such thing as an exit and no such thing as a difficult situation. Sometimes a person just doesn’t see the light at the end of a dark corridor because he’s looking in the wrong direction.
Roerich was able to portray in paint all the holiness of this man. He was learning to think and understand like his hero of the painting. Francis of Assisi proclaimed that in understanding lies forgiveness. Except that this supreme gift is given only to some people. Many harbor resentment, finding themselves in an unhappy life.
Look at how the artist has chosen the color palette. Overhead, the skies are dark, like vices rising up. But the rock is sunny and even the birds have made their nest in the branches of the blooming world. As long as God gives such natural phenomena, there is always hope that things will turn out for the better.
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The background is divided into distinct zones. Above, a deep blue sky contrasts with a pale yellow-orange band that suggests either dawn or dusk. The landscape below consists of stylized mountains and what appear to be buildings clustered on a hillside. A small tree branch, bearing dark berries or blossoms, occupies the lower left corner, while a flock of birds is positioned near it, adding a touch of natural life to the scene.
The color palette is restrained, dominated by earthy tones – browns, yellows, and muted blues – with occasional accents of darker hues in the foliage and bird forms. The application of paint appears flat and deliberate, lacking textural variation; this contributes to the overall sense of formality and symbolic representation rather than naturalistic depiction.
Subtly, the painting conveys themes of faith, solitude, and connection with nature. The figure’s position on a rocky outcrop suggests a journey or pilgrimage – a separation from everyday life in pursuit of spiritual understanding. The distant buildings might symbolize community or civilization, yet he remains apart, emphasizing his individual devotion. The birds could represent freedom, the souls aspiration, or perhaps even a connection to the natural world that this figure seems to embody. The overall effect is one of quiet reverence and introspection, inviting contemplation on themes of spirituality and human existence within a larger cosmic context.