Saint Francis
- Artist: Pietro di Francesco degli Orioli
- Date: (circa) 1480
- Medium: tempera on panel
- Museum: The Courtauld Gallery
- Collection record: The Courtauld Gallery website
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About this artwork
This is the “Saint Francis” by Pietro di Francesco degli Orioli, painted around 1480. The work is a tempera on panel, a medium that gives the colors a luminous but slightly opaque quality. The small, roughly square panel places the saint in a tight, intimate frame, drawing the eye straight to the figure’s serene face and the soft, earth‑tinted background.
Orioli’s brushwork is meticulous, especially in the rendering of Francis’s simple habit—plain wool and a subtle rope belt that suggests humility. The saint’s hands are folded in a gentle prayer, and his gaze is directed slightly downward, as if listening to a whispered voice. The palette is restrained, dominated by muted greens, ochres, and the occasional splash of deep blue that marks the collar of his habit. These tones convey a quiet, contemplative mood, fitting for a saint known for his devotion to poverty and prayer.
The panel’s wood grain is barely visible under the thin layer of tempera, but a slight ridge in the center hints at the old wooden support. The painting’s composition balances the saint’s vertical posture with a slight diagonal tilt of his head, creating a subtle dynamism. Overall, Orioli captures the essence of Saint Francis with a calm, reverent touch that invites viewers to pause and reflect.
See it in person
Saint Francis hangs in The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House, London. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
