GHIRLANDAIO, Domenico
(b. 1449, Firenze, d. 1494, Firenze)

Stigmata of St Francis (detail)

1483-85
Fresco
Santa Trinita, Florence

On mount La Verna in the Tuscan province of Arezzo, 1.128 metres above sea level, is a famous monastery founded by St Francis. Ghirlandaio shows a path that leads over a ramp to the gate of this monastery. Beyond the gate we clearly make out the monastery church and a courtyard and well. At the bottom of the hill, two figures are busy by a grotto from which a spring is flowing. Much in Ghirlandaio's picture is reminiscent of real topographic conditions.