GIOTTO di Bondone
(b. 1267, Vespignano, d. 1337, Firenze)

Legend of St Francis: 10. Exorcism of the Demons at Arezzo

1297-99
Fresco, 270 x 230 cm
Upper Church, San Francesco, Assisi

This is the tenth of the twenty-eight scenes (twenty-five of which were painted by Giotto) of the Legend of Saint Francis.

During the civil war in Arezzo, St. Francis saw demons over the city. He called upon a brother of his order, Sylvester, to drive them out. The picture area is dominated by the architecture of the city, which is divided from the rest of the world by a crack in the earth, and by the towering church building. Giotto portrays the saint deep in prayer in front of the latter. His strength seems to pass to Brother Sylvester, who raises his hand commandingly in the direction of the city of towers. Thereupon the demons flee, and the citizens can return to their business in peace - they can already be seen at the city gates.




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