The Vision of Saint Francis, kneeling at right, receiving the Christ child from the Virgin Mary (1617–20, Met-Objekt 1142)
Original title: The Vision of Saint Francis, kneeling at right, receiving the Christ child from the Virgin Mary
kurzbeschreibung
In a vision, Francis of Assisi kneels to receive the Christ Child from the hands of the Virgin Mary. Michel Lasne made this print between 1617 and 1620 as an etching and engraving; it is the first state of two. Angels and clouds frame the event and emphasize its heavenly nature.
Description
On the right, Saint Francis kneels in a simple monk's habit, his gaze fixed on the Christ Child, whom the likewise kneeling Mary holds in her arms. The child appears calm and peaceful. At the upper left, an angel hovers with wings spread; more angels appear in the middle of the image. A tree with thin branches and a dark trunk dominates the right side of the background. The layout is symmetrical: the main figures stand in the foreground, the heavenly apparitions behind them.
Context
Michel Lasne was a French engraver active in the first half of the 17th century. The print was made in the era of the Counter-Reformation, when saints' visions were often depicted to strengthen Catholic devotion. The motif follows the iconographic tradition of Francis receiving the Christ Child in a vision. The existence of a first state of the print proves that Lasne later reworked the plate—a sign of careful artistic development.
Impact
The calm arrangement and restrained light create a devout, contemplative mood. Clear contours and the precise rendering of garments and facial features give the image a realistic yet elevated presence. The monochrome of the etching directs the viewer's attention to the narrative details and the spiritual message.
Technique
For this work, Lasne combined etching and engraving, so that etched and engraved lines stand side by side. The delicate, flowing lines and the distinctly placed shadows testify to the artist's technical precision. The print was made on paper and trimmed to 43.6 × 30 cm.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)