Saint Francis Receiving the Stigmata

Art Historical Context

In the National Gallery of Art's collection, *Saint Francis Receiving the Stata* (1620) is a engraving on laid paper by Lucas Vorsterman, a masterful Flemish engraver and publisher, faithfully reproducing a composition by the Baroque giant Sir Peter Paul Rubens. image captures the mystical moment when Saint Francis of Assisi receives the wounds of—known as the stigmataduring a vision on Mount La Verna. Rubens' dynamic design, with swirling clouds, radiant light, and emotional intensity, exemplifies the dramatic flair of Flemish Baroque art, aimed at evoking profound spiritual awe amid the Counter-Reformation's push for fervent Catholic devotion. Vorsterman's engraving technique shines here: using intricate burin work on copper plates, he translates Rubens' oil painting's rich textures and chiaroscuro contrasts into precise lines and tonal gradations on laid paper, a period staple with its visible chain lines adding tactile authenticity. Prints like this were revolutionary, making elite art accessible to a wider audience through affordable reproductions sold across Europe. This work highlights Rubens' collaborative genius and the era's printmaking boom, which spread Baroque ideals of faith and drama. Acquired through the Andrew W. Mellon Fund, it invites visitors to ponder how a 17th-century miracle continues to inspire through masterful replication.