The Image of Francis From the Middle Ages to the 20th Century

Exhibition catalogue
Arezzo, Galleria Comunale d’Arte Contemporanea e Sala Sant’Ignazio, 3 October 2026-10 January 2027

edited by Cristina Acidini

Following the “ways of St Francis” mapped across the Arezzo area, which link the places marked by the saint’s presence, from the rock of La Verna to Le Celle in Cortona, this exhibition highlights Arezzo’s central role by presenting the iconography of the Poor Man of Assisi through a selection of works considered particularly suited to depicting Francis’s likeness and episodes from his life. Over the centuries, these works have played a significant role in translating the events of an extraordinary story of holiness into images. Situated next to the church of San Francesco and its marvellous cycle of the True Cross, the exhibition venue thus provides a narrative framework designed to equip visitors with the essential tools for understanding the figure of Francis within the various historical, religious and cultural contexts that shaped the myriad artistic expressions through which, from the Middle Ages to the 20th century, art and spirituality have traced their course through diverse interpretations and recurring themes.

As with the recent exhibition dedicated to Giorgio Vasari, it was decided to extend the exhibition into the spectacular setting of the church of Sant’Ignazio. On this occasion, the church provides a particularly fitting venue for the Baroque section of the iconographic exhibition, which focuses on divine apparitions and episodes of ecstasy, characterized by a profusion of gestures and chromatic effects that harmonize perfectly with the decorative exuberance of the church’s interior. Cristina Acidini’s coordination also built on the experience of the previous Vasari-themed exhibition, bringing together a select group of highly distinguished art historians who contributed to the project by identifying works relevant to their respective fields of expertise, drawn from a wide range of places of worship and public and private collections. This approach ensured the inclusion of a number of works of exceptional significance, capable of providing a comprehensive overview of Franciscan iconography, both from a stylistic perspective and in terms of its regional variations.

Even within the context of the current centenary celebrations, the aim is to showcase a region rich in opportunities for multifaceted and thought-provoking exploration: journeys for both the eye and the mind which, by offering privileged vantage points for deeper understanding, can reveal unprecedented perspectives and satisfy the curiosity of both scholar and traveller.