Saint Francis of Assisi: episodes in his life; centre, Saint Francis standing on Mount Alvernia. Engraving, 16--.

[Place of publication not identified] : R. Sadeler excudit cum privilegio sum(m)i Pont. et S. Ca. Maes, [between 1600 and 1699]

1 print : engraving ; image 30.7 x 21.6 cm

S. Franciscus. Signasti Domine servum tuum Franciscum signis redemptionis nostrae. ... Unusually, the verses at the foot of the engraving comment on the manner of representation of the subject of the print: "Cur sese toties Franciscus in icone stipat? / Maiorem semel, at saepius ipse minor? / Nimirum, deerant facerent quae vulnera divum / Sese maiorem; nam fuit ante minor. / Nec solum semet maiore(m) vulnera divum, / At Christo reddunt mirius illa parem." Why does Francis cram himself so many times into the image, once on a large scale but more often smaller? Because of course he did not have the wounds which would make him a greater saint, for previously he was lesser. The wounds do not only make him a greater saint, more remarkably they render him equal to Christ. "Minor" also refers to the Friars Minor (the Franciscans)

Wellcome Collection 574501i