Saint Francis of Assisi Carried Dying to Saint Mary of the Angels, Blesses the City of Assisi; Saint Francois D’assise Transporte Mourant a Sainte-Marie Des Anges, Benit La Ville D’assise Francois-Leon Benouville (1821-1859)

The composition presents a solemn procession unfolding across a gently sloping landscape. A group of figures, clad in monastic robes, occupies the foreground, arranged around what appears to be a makeshift stretcher or bench. The central figure, positioned slightly ahead and facing away from the viewer, seems to be leading the group, his posture suggesting both authority and profound sorrow. He is barefoot, emphasizing humility and spiritual devotion.
The man lying on the stretcher exhibits signs of illness or exhaustion, his head resting against a pillow, attended by several companions who display expressions of concern and grief. Their gestures – one hand raised in prayer, another supporting the stretcher – communicate a sense of shared burden and reverence for the dying individual. The arrangement suggests a deliberate staging of an event imbued with religious significance.
Behind this immediate group, trees frame the scene on the left, creating depth and drawing attention to the distant cityscape. This city, rendered in muted tones, sits atop a hill, its architecture suggesting antiquity and permanence. It is bathed in a soft, diffused light that contributes to the overall atmosphere of tranquility and contemplation. The landscape itself – the rolling hills, the sparse vegetation – is depicted with a naturalistic quality, grounding the scene in a recognizable reality while simultaneously elevating it through the narrative being presented.
The artist’s use of color reinforces the emotional weight of the subject matter. Earth tones dominate the palette – browns, greens, and grays – evoking feelings of solemnity and mortality. The subdued lighting further enhances this effect, creating an atmosphere of quiet reverence.
Subtly, the painting explores themes of faith, sacrifice, and the relationship between the individual and community. The dying man’s blessing of the city implies a spiritual responsibility extending beyond personal suffering; it suggests a connection to the larger world and a desire for its well-being even in the face of death. The landscape serves not merely as a backdrop but also as a symbolic representation of the enduring nature of faith and the continuity of human experience across generations.