Saint Dominic and Saint Francis of Assisi

mages of holy founders of religious orders were prevalent in New Granada art because of the significant role these communities played in the evangelization of the American territory.

Dominic was ordained as a priest, but later decided founding the Order of Preachers. By 1215, the order was approved by Pope Innocent III and, after training a group of friars, he began his work in France, Spain and Italy. Within a few years, the religious had spread throughout Europe.

Over his white habit and black mantle, the typical attire of his order, he is depicted carrying a rosary, a key element promoted by the Dominicans. 

The star that marks his forehead is said to have resulted from a blow he made against the font during his baptism. 

To his left is a bouquet of lilies, a symbol of purity, one of the attributes commonly associated with him.

On the right side of the image is Saint Francis of Assisi (c.1182-1226), the founder of the Franciscan order. 

Francis was born in Assisi, Italy, into a wealthy merchant family, but he chose to live an extremely austere life, dedicating himself to prayer. His example attracted followers who later founded the Franciscan Order, which was approved by Pope Innocent III in 1209. 

The brown habit typical of the order reveals a wound on the saint’s chest, an iconographic attribute with which he is represented, and which refers to the stigmata of the Passion of Christ that, according to what is said, he received in 1224. 

A skull, an attribute of Saint Francis, is in the center of the image and refers to the brevity of life and contempt for the material world. 

When looking closely at the image, between the saints a shadow of what appears to be a larger skull can be seen. This type of detail is known as pentimento, an Italian word that translates ‘repentance’.