St Francis consoled by a musical angel

Francesco Vanni (1563-1610) was an Italian painter of the Mannerist style, active in Rome and his native city of Siena. He was part of a family of painters, including his half-brother Ventura Salimbeni, and stepfather Arcangelo Salimbeni. His stepfather died when Francesco was young, and as a 16-year-old he went first to Bologna, then to Rome. There he apprenticed with Giovanni de' Vecchi during 1579-80, though like other Tuscan painters of his day, he was influenced in part by Federico Barocci from Urbino, and he was among the last painters who also reflected the influence of the Sienese School of painting. At the turn of the 17th century, Vanni had become a key figure in Italian Counter-Reformation painting. His works are known for combining technical virtuosity and brilliant coloring with a naturalistic approach to subject matter. He created altarpieces for every important church in Siena, and also received commissions in Rome, most notably from Pope Clement VIII for a monumental altarpiece for St Peter's.

This emotionally affecting etching depicts St Francis in the desert wilderness, being consoled by a cherubim playing the viols to him. The theme comes from a little-known episode in St Bonaventure's 13th century official hagiography of St Francis, and was also among the collected legends relating to the saint. There is a closely related, and much admired, engraving by Agostino Carracci showing St Francis in reverse, and with an adolescent angel musician. This was long believed to have been based on Vanni's etching, when Agostino actually used another of his compositions and followed it quite closely.

See:

http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details .aspx?objectId=1458797&partId=1&people=104501&peoA=104501-2-23&page=1

Jamie Gabrielli, "An Original Copy: Agostino Carracci's 'Saint Francis Consoled by a Musical Angel', after Francesco Vanni", <em>Yale University Art Gallery Bulletin</em>  Recent Acquisitions (2011), pp. 69-73

http://news.yale.edu/photos/francesco-vanni-art-late-renaissance-siena

Dr Mark Stocker    Curator, Historical International Art         February 2017