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Primary sourcePaintingc. 1502

Saint Francis of Assisi

Raphael · c. 1502

An early altarpiece figure of Saint Francis painted by Raphael during his Umbrian training period.

This early religious painting was made by Raphael during his Umbrian training period.

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Painting of a bearded friar in a grey-brown hooded habit, barefoot, holding a red book and a gold cross-topped staff against a deep blue background within a red painted border. He stands on a pale ground.
Raphael, Saint Francis of Assisi, c. 1502.

About this source

What it is

This painting shows a bearded friar in a grey-brown hooded habit, barefoot, holding a red book and a staff topped with a cross against a deep blue background. Raphael painted it around 1502, early in his career.

Why it matters

The work comes from Raphael's Umbrian period, when he was trained in the style of painters working in that region. It shows how young artists like Raphael learned their craft by producing religious altarpiece figures for churches.

Look closer

  • What details identify this figure as Saint Francis?
  • How does the plain background focus attention on the figure?
  • What might this early work tell you about Raphael's training before he became famous?

This painting is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Raphael on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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