CARDUCHO, Vicente
(b. 1576, Firenze, d. 1638, Madrid)

Vision of St Francis of Assisi

1631
Oil on canvas, 246 x 173 cm
Szépművészeti Múzeum, Budapest

In the transition from classicism to naturalism an interesting part was played by the so-called second-generation Italians, descendants of the artists summoned by Philip II to work on the Escorial. One of them was Vicente Carducho (Carducci), court favorite until the arrival of Velázquez.

This painting and its parallel, St Anthony of Padua and the Infant Christ (The Hermitage, St. Petersburg) used to be the central pieces of the side altars of the church San Gil, Madrid. Both are signed and dated in the same year. The painting contains several lithurgical references, mainly in the foliage of the tree (the attributes of Mary) and in the landscape elements (thorn, lilies, cedar etc.). The clear composition is Italian, the vision is Spanish.

Suggested listening (streaming mp3, 33 minutes):
Michael Haydn: St Francis Mass