Saint John the Baptist; Saint Francis Receiving the Stigmata

Gerard David

ca. 1485–90 · Oil on wood · European Paintings

While John the Baptist was frequently represented in Netherlandish art, his pairing with Saint Francis is rare in the north. The latter was venerated especially in Southern Europe, suggesting that these paintings could have been commissioned by an Italian merchant working in Bruges. Originally the wings of a triptych, they might have flanked a Crucifixion or a Lamentation, for they both share the theme of Christ’s sacrifice: Saint John points to the Lamb of God, a familiar metaphor for Christ as the redeemer of mankind, and Saint Francis miraculously receives the stigmata at a distance from his monastery on Mount Alverna.

Artist

Gerard David

Date

ca. 1485–90

Medium

Oil on wood

Department

European Paintings

Credit line

The Friedsam Collection, Bequest of Michael Friedsam, 1931