An Evocation of the Basilica of St Francis of Assisi

This richly illustrated hardcover volume focuses on the exquisitely detailed beauty of the artworks by Cimabue, Giotto, Simone Martini and Pietro Lorenzetti that adorn the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi and the town of Assisi in the heart of Italy’s Umbria region, animating the profound humanism and affirmative energy that St Francis brought to Umbria and Italy itself. Through an authoritative yet witty narrative, the book guides our attention across key themes of the Franciscan phenomenon, which reflected a radical change in consciousness toward human relationships and humankind’s relationship with nature. The resonance between Christ and Francis is evidenced, as is the less well-known supportive role of women in both periods.
Containing detailed images of the paintings, this textured analysis documents the artistically rich and innovative atmosphere and the complex medieval setting in which St. Francis and the painters of the basilica lived.