Mystic Ecstasy Images in the Visual Arts of Western Europe in the 13th – 15th Centuries

Saint Francis, one of Italy's two patron saints, was born into a wealthy silk merchant family in Assisi. He lived a lavish life, until in his early twenties, after a mystical vision of Christ, he gave up his worldly life and all his inheritance. He became a wanderer and sought funds for the restoration of the church of San Damiano near Assisi. He fasted for 40 days on Mount La Verna in 1224. While he was there, he saw another vision: a cross carried by a seraph. This angel left him with the stigmata, the translation of five wounds of Christ. This research paper examines the mystic ecstasy images of St. Francis of Assisi in the visual art of Western Europe from the 13th to the 15th centuries. St. Francis, known for his devotion to poverty and his deep spiritual experiences, inspired numerous artists to depict his ecstatic encounters with the divine in various art forms. The paper analyzes a wide range of artistic representations, including paintings and sculptures, to explore how the mystic ecstasy of St. Francis was visually portrayed during this period. It delves into the stylistic choices, iconographic elements, and compositional techniques employed by artists to convey the intense spiritual experiences of the saint. It also analyzes the religious context of the period.