The Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi (St Francis), the mother church of the Franciscan Order, is a World Heritage Site in Assisi, Italy. Image File history File links Flag_of_UNESCO.svg This image shows a flag, a coat of arms, a seal or some other official insignia. ... Numerous saints have been named Francis. ... A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a specific site (such as a forest, mountain, lake, desert, monument, building, complex, or city) that has been nominated and confirmed for inclusion on the list maintained by the international World Heritage Programme administered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, composed of 21 State... This article is about the Italian town. ...

The Lower and Upper Basilica and the porticus, as seen from the Piazza delle Logge.

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History

The Franciscan monastery (Sacro Convento) and the lower and upper church (Basilica inferiore e superiore) of St Francis were begun immediately after his canonization in 1228. Simone di Pucciarello donated the land for the church, a hill at the west side of Assisi, known as "Hill of Hell" (it. Collo d'Inferno - here the criminals were put to death). Today, this hill is aptly called "Hill of Paradise". Monastery of St. ... The Sacro Convento is a Franciscan friary in Assisi, Umbria, Italy. ... Saint Francis of Assisi (September 26, 1181 – October 3, 1226) was a Roman Catholic friar and the founder of the Order of Friars Minor, more commonly known as the Franciscans. ... Icon of St. ... Events The Sixth Crusade is launched by Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor, after delays due to sickness and an excommunication from Pope Gregory IX. Conrad IV of Germany becomes titular King of Jerusalem, with Frederick II as regent. ...

The foundation stone was laid by Pope Gregory IX on 17 July 1228, although construction may already have been begun. This impressive church was designed and supervised by brother Elia Bombardone, one of the first followers of St. Francis and the former provincial minister of Syria. The lower basilica was finished in 1230. On Pentecost 25 May 1230 the uncorrupted body of St. Francis was brought in a solemn procession to the lower basilica from its temporary burial place in the church of St. George (now the basilica of St. Clare). The construction of the upper basilica was begun after 1239. Construction was completed in 1253. Its architecture is a synthesis of Romanesque and French Gothic artwork, establishing many of the typical characteristics of Italian Gothic architecture. Pope Gregory IX, born Ugolino dei Conti, was pope from 1227 to August 22, 1241. ... Events Kingdom of Leon unites with the Kingdom of Castile. ... The Descent of the Holy Spirit in a 15th century illuminated manuscript. ... is the 145th day of the year (146th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... A procession (via Middle English processioun, French procession, derived from Latin, processio, itself from procedere, to go forth, advance, proceed) is, in general, an organized body of people advancing in a formal or ceremonial manner. ... Saint Clare of Assisi, born Chiara Offreduccio, (July 16, 1194–August 11, 1253) was one of the first followers of Francis of Assisi and founded the Order of Poor Ladies to organize the women who chose to take the Franciscan vow of poverty and celibacy. ... // Events Births June 17 - King Edward I of England (died 1307) December 17 - Kujo Yoritsugu, Japanese shogun (died 1256) Peter III of Aragon (died 1285) John II, Duke of Brittany (died 1305) Ippen, Japanese monk (died 1289) Deaths March 3 - Vladimir III Rurikovich, Grand Prince of Kiev (born 1187) March... For broader historical context, see 1250s and 13th century. ... South transept of Tournai Cathedral, Belgium, 12th century. ... Interior of Cologne Cathedral Interior of San Zanipolo, Venice, photo Giovanni dallOrto. ...

Basilica and friary, as seen from the plain below

The churches have been decorated by the greatest late medieval Roman, Umbrian and Tuscan artists of their time, giving these churches an unequaled importance in the development of Italian art. The lower church has frescos by renowned late-medieval artists, such as Cimabue and Giotto; in the upper church are a series frescoes depicting scenes in the life of St Francis attributed to Giotto and his circle. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1280 × 960 pixel, file size: 381 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1280 × 960 pixel, file size: 381 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Umbria is a region of central Italy, bordered by Tuscany to the west, the Marche to the east and Lazio to the south. ... For other uses, see Fresco (disambiguation). ... The definition of an artist is wide-ranging and covers a broad spectrum of activities to do with creating art, practicing the arts and/or demonstrating an art. ... Crucifix (1287-88) Panel, 448 x 390 cm Basilica di Santa Croce, Florence. ... Giotto di Bondone (c. ...

Pope Nicholas IV, the former Minister-General of the Order of Franciscans, raised the church to the status of papal church in 1288. Nicholas IV, né Girolamo Masci (Lisciano, a small village near Ascoli Piceno, September 30, 1227 – April 4, 1292), was Pope from February 22, 1288 to April 4, 1292. ... This is a list of the ministers general of the Order of Friars Minor; // Francis of Assisi (1210-1226) Johannes Parenti (1227-1232) 1st Minister general Elias of Cortona (1232-1239) 2nd Minister general Albert of Pisa (1239-1240) 3rd Minister general Haymo of Faversham (1240-1243) 4th Minister general...

The Piazza del Loge, the square leading to the church, is surrounded by colonnades constructed in 1474. They housed the numerous pilgrims flocking to this church.

On 27 October 1986 and January 2002, Pope John Paul II gathered in Assisi with the leaders of the great world confessions to pray for peace. Year 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar). ... Also see: 2002 (number). ... Coat of Arms of Pope John Paul II. The Letter M is for Mary, the mother of Jesus, to whom he held strong devotion Pope John Paul II (Latin: , Italian: Giovanni Paolo II, Polish: Jan PaweÅ‚ II) born   []; 18 May 1920 – 2 April 2005) reigned as the 264th Pope of...

On September 26, 1997, St Francis' 816th birthday, Assisi was struck by an earthquake which caused four fatalities. The Basilica was badly damaged (part of the vault collapsed, carrying with it a fresco by Cimabue), and was closed for two years for restoration. is the 269th day of the year (270th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the band, see 1997 (band). ... This article is about the natural seismic phenomenon. ...

The lower basilica

Side entrance to the lower basilica

Brother Elia had designed the lower basilica as an enormous crypt with ribbed vaults. He had acquired his experience by building huge sepulchres out of hard rock in Syria. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 450 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (960 × 1280 pixel, file size: 562 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 450 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (960 × 1280 pixel, file size: 562 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Crypt is also a commonly used name of water trumpets, aquatic plants. ...

Entering the lower basilica via the side portal in Gothic style (second half of the 13th c.) with two wooden doors (Umbrian craftsmanship from the 16th c.), one sees at the other side of the vestibule the chapel of Cardinal Egidio Albornoz, papal legate in charge of the Papal States (from 1350 to 1367). It is dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria. The frescoes with the eight episodes from the life of St. Catherine were painted in 1368-1369 by ‘Andreas pictor de Bononia’. This painter, called Andrea, is most probably Andrea de’ Bartoli (c. 1349 - 1369), the court artist of Albornoz (and not Andrea da Bologna, as usually, but wrongly, attributed). The saints in this chapel were painted by Pace di Bartolo d'Assisi (1344-1368). Saint Catherine of Alexandria, also known as Saint Catherine of the Wheel and The Great Martyr Saint Catherine (Greek ) is a Christian saint and martyr claimed to have been a noted scholar in the early 4th century. ... For other uses, see Fresco (disambiguation). ...

On the left side is the small Chapel of St. Sebastian with a canvas by Giorgetti and episodes of the life of the saint on the walls by G. Martelli. On the right side there are two monuments : the mausuleum of Giovanni de' Cerchi and the mausuleum of John of Brienne, king of Jerusalem and emperor-regent of Constantinople. The coronation of John of Brienne as King of Jerusalem, with Maria of Montferrat, from a late 13th century MS of the Histoire dOutremer, painted in Acre. ...

The lower basilica consists of a central nave with several side chapels with semi-circular arches. The nave is decorated with the oldest frescoes in the church by an unknown artist, called Maestro di San Francesco. They feature five scenes from the Passion of Christ on the right side, while on the left side equally five scenes from the Life of St. Francis. By this juxtaposition, the Franciscans wanted to contribute to the idea of their founder as a second Christ. Links to full descriptions of the elements of a Gothic floorplan are also found at the entry Cathedral diagram. ... Master of St. ...

They are connected by a low blue-painted ceiling decorated with golden stars. Most images on the lower walls have decayed to leave almost no trace, except on the right wall fragments of Virgin and Child with an Angel by Cimabue.

These frescoes, executed in tempera on dry plaster, were completed about 1260-1263. They are considered by many as the best examples of Tuscan wall paintings prior to Cimabue. As the popularity of this church increased, side chapels for noble families were added between 1270 and 1350, destroying the frescoes on the opened walls. Crucifix (1287-88) Panel, 448 x 390 cm Basilica di Santa Croce, Florence. ...

The first chapel on the left is dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours. It was built by Cardinal da Montefiore, and was decorated between 1317 and 1319 with ten frescoes depicting his life by Simone Martini and with a polyptych with figures of saints. These are amongst the greatest works of Simone Martini and the finest examples of 14th century painting. The use of lead white has over the years darkened several passages in these works. Saint Martin of Tours (Latin: Martinus), (316/317 – November 11, 397 in Candes) was a bishop of Tours whose shrine became a famous stopping-point for pilgrims on the road to Santiago de Compostela. ... Petrachs Virgil (title page) (c. ... Lead paint is paint containing lead, a heavy metal, that is used as pigment, with Lead(II) chromate (PbCrO4, chrome yellow) and lead(II) carbonate(PbCO3, white lead) being the most common. ...

St Martin leaves the life of chivalry and renounces the army (fresco by Simone Martini) Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (2024x2433, 451 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Martin of Tours Basilica of San Francesco dAssisi ...

Musician with two flutes (fresco by Simone Martini Image File history File links Size of this preview: 489 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2024 × 2483 pixel, file size: 530 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ...

Polyptych with Louis of Toulouse, Elisabeth of Thuringia, Saint Clare and Louis IX, King of France (fresco by Simone Martini). Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 264 pixelsFull resolution (5120 × 1687 pixel, file size: 1. ...

The other chapel on the left is dedicated to St. Peter of Alcantara. [1]Born at Alcántara, Spain, 1499; died 18 Oct. ...

The chapels on the right are dedicated to :

• Saint Louis of Toulouse and Saint Stephan with frescoes by Dono Doni (1575) and stained glass, attributed to Simone Martini.
• Saint Anthony of Padua with frescoes by Cesare Sermei (1610,)
• St. Mary Magdalene. This chapel, built by Teobaldo Pontano (bishop of Assisi from 1296 to 1329), contains some of the best works of the workshop of Giotto and maybe by the master himself (about 1320) (wrongly attributed by Vasari to Puccio Capanna). On the lateral walls are scenes from the Life of Mary Magdalene (above the portrait of Teobaldo Pontano), while in the vault there are roundels with busts of Christ, the Virgin, Mary Magdalene and Lazarus.

The nave ends in a richly decorated semicircular apse, preceded with a transept with barrel vaulting. Saint Louis of Toulouse (February 1274 - August 19, 1297) was a cadet of the royal French house of Anjou who was made a Catholic bishop. ... Saint Stephen I (Hungarian: , Latin: , Slovak: , German: ; Esztergom, c. ... Saint Anthony of Padua, also venerated as Saint Anthony of Lisbon (Santo António de Lisboa), particularly in Portugal (August 15, 1195 – June 13, 1231), is a Catholic saint who was born in Lisbon, Portugal, as Fernando de Bulhões (pron. ... This article is about the disciple of Jesus. ... This article is about an architectural feature; for the astronomical term see apsis. ... Cathedral ground plan. ...

The frescoes in the right transept depict the childhood of Christ, partly by Giotto and his workshop and the Nativity by the anonymous Maestro di San Nicola. The lowest level shows three frescoes representing St. Francis posthumously intervening in favour of two children. These frescoes by Giotto were revolutionary in their time, showing real people with emotions, set in a realistic landscape.

Maesta with St. Francis, (Cimabue)

On the transept wall Cimabue painted his most famous work "Our Lady enthroned and Saint Francis" (1280). This is probably the nearest likeness to St. Francis. This static painting in Gothic style is in stark contrast with the lively frescoes of Giotto. Image File history File linksMetadata San_Francesco_Cimabue. ... Image File history File linksMetadata San_Francesco_Cimabue. ... Cimabues Maestà , Basilica of St. ... Crucifix (1287-88) Panel, 448 x 390 cm Basilica di Santa Croce, Florence. ... Crucifix (1287-88) Panel, 448 x 390 cm Basilica di Santa Croce, Florence. ...

This right transept also contains the Chapel of Saint Nicolas of Bari, probably commissioned by the papal legate Cardinal Napoleone Orsini. It is decorated with a cycle of 10 frescoes by the (anonymous) Master of the Chapel of St Nicholas (between 1295 and 1305), depicting the miracles and the charity of Saint Nicholas. This cycle has been influenced by the cycle of the Legend of St. Francis in the upper basilica. This confused Vasari into (wrongly) ascribing this frescoes to 'Giottino'. The same master then executed the Annunciation across the entrance of the chapel. There are communes that have the name Saint-Nicolas (French for Saint Nicholas) in France: In France Saint-Nicolas, in the Pas-de-Calais d partement Related Saint-Nicolas-aux-Bois, in the Aisne d partement Saint-Nicolas-dAliermont, in the Seine-Maritime d partement Saint-Nicolas-dAttez... Palazzo Orsini in Fara Sabina, northern Lazio, central Italy. ... Giorgio Vasari (Arezzo, Tuscany July 3, 1511 - Florence, June 27, 1574) was an Italian painter and architect, mainly known for his famous biographies of Italian artists. ...

Madonna dei Tramonti by Pietro Lorenzetti

The left transept was decorated by the Sienese painter Pietro Lorenzetti and his workshop between 1315 and 1330 (attributed by Vasari Pietro Lorenzetti and also (wrongly) to Giotto and Puccio Capanna) . This cycle of tempera frescoes are his masterworks. They depict six scenes from the Passion of Christ. Especially the fresco of Deposition of the Cross is highly emotional. In this cycle one can see cast shadows, for the first time since antiquity. There were about 330 work-stages needed to complete this cycle. This means that these frescoes were executed over several years, even with the assistance of his workshop. He also decorated the adjoining chapel of St John the Baptist with the fresco "Madonna dei Tramonti “. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 482 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (2024 × 2516 pixel, file size: 693 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 482 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (2024 × 2516 pixel, file size: 693 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Beata Umilta Transports Bricks to the Monastery(c. ... Beata Umilta Transports Bricks to the Monastery(c. ...

The juxtaposition of the Childhood and the Passion frescoes intend to stress the parallel between the passion of Christ and the compassion of St. Francis.

Papal altar with frescoes

The papal altar in the apse was made out of one block of stone from Como in 1230. Around the altar are a series of ornamented Gothic arches, supported by columns in different styles. The 12 columns that surrounded the altar were removed in 1870. The fine Gothic walnut choir stalls were completed in 1471 by Apollonio Petrocchi da Ripatransone, with the help of Tommaso di Antonio Fiorentino and Andrea da Montefalco. Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... For other uses, see Como (disambiguation). ...

Once featuring frescoes depicting an allegory of the Crucifixion by Stefano Fiorentino (destroyed in 1622), the walls of the apse are now covered with a "Last Judgment" by Cesare Sermei di Orvieto (1609-1668).

The paintings in the lunettes of the vaults (1315-20) depict the "Triumph of St Francis“ and three allegories of Obedience, Poverty and Chastity by the so-called Maestro delle Vele (Master of the Assisi vaults), a pupil of Giotto (about 1330).

The stained glass windows in this lower basilica are attributed to Giovanni di Bonino and his workshop.

Crypt

Tomb of St. Francis in the crypt

Halfway down the nave one can descend into the crypt via a double stairway. This burial place of St. Francis was found again in 1818. His remains had been hidden by brother Elia to prevent the spread of his relics in medieval Europe. By order of Pope Pius IX a crypt was built under the lower basilica. It was designed by Pasquale Belli with precious marble in neo-classical style. But it was redesigned in bare stone in neo-Romanesque style by Ugo Tarchi between 1925 and 1932. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 450 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1200 × 1600 pixel, file size: 1,015 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Assisi - Tomb of Saint Francis, with the stone coffin containing his remains. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 450 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1200 × 1600 pixel, file size: 1,015 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Assisi - Tomb of Saint Francis, with the stone coffin containing his remains. ... Pope Pius IX (May 13, 1792 – February 7, 1878), born Giovanni Maria Mastai-Ferretti, reigned as Pope of the Roman Catholic Church from his election in June 16, 1846, until his death more than 31 years later in 1878. ...

The ancient stone coffin with iron ties is enshrined in an open space above the altar. In 1934 his most faithful brothers were entombed in the corners of the wall around the altar: brother Rufino, brother Angelo, brother Masseo and brother Leone.

At the entrance of the crypt, an urn with the remains of Jacopa dei Settesoli was added to the crypt. This woman of Roman nobility was the most faithful friend and benefactress of St. Francis. She was at his side in the Porziuncola at the hour of his death. the Porziuncola Porziuncola, also called Portiuncula (in Latin) or Porzioncula, is a town and parish situated about three-quarters of a mile from Assisi. ...

Friary of St. Francis

Courtyard of the friary

Next to the basilica stands the friary Sacro Convento with its imposing walls with 53 Romanesque arches and powerful buttresses supporting the whole complex. It towers over the valley below, giving the impression of a fortress. It was built with pink and white stone from Mount Subasio. It was already inhabited by the friars in 1230. But construction took a long time, with as result different styles intermingling : Romanesque with Gothic style. A major part was built under the reign of Pope Sixtus IV, a Franciscan, between 1474 and 1476. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 450 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (960 × 1280 pixel, file size: 488 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 450 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (960 × 1280 pixel, file size: 488 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... The Sacro Convento is a Franciscan friary in Assisi, Umbria, Italy. ... Sixtus IV, born Francesco della Rovere (July 21, 1414 - August 12, 1484) was Pope from 1471 to 1484, essentially a Renaissance prince, the Sixtus of the Sistine Chapel where the team of artists he brought together introduced the Early Renaissance to Rome with a masterpiece. ...

The friary now houses a vast library (with medieval codices and incunables), a museum with works of art donated by pilgrims through the centuries and also the 57 works of art (mainly of Florentine and Sienese schools) of the Perkins collection. First page of the Codex Argenteus A codex (Latin for block of wood, book; plural codices) is a handwritten book, in general, one produced from Late Antiquity through the Middle Ages. ... A page from a rare Blackletter Bible (1497) printed in Strassburg by J.R.Grueninger. ...

The belfry, in Romanesque style, was finished in 1239.

Upper basilica

Nave of the upper basilica with the Giotto frescoes

One enters the upper basilica from the loggia of the friary. The slender Gothic style of the upper basilica gives a completely different impression. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 400 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (510 × 764 pixel, file size: 642 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 400 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (510 × 764 pixel, file size: 642 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ...

Large glass stained windows, placed halfway up the walls, shed their coloured light on the masterworks of Giotto and Cimabue. The windows in the choir were produced by German craftsmen, active around Assisi in the last part of the 13th century. The windows on the left hand side of the nave were made by a French workshop (1270), while those on the right hand side are attributed to the workshop of Maestro di San Francesco. These stained glass windows are among the best examples of 13th c. Italian glasswork. Master of St. ...

This bright and spacious basilica consists of a single four-bay nave with cross-vaulted ceiling bordered with patterns of crosses and leaves, a transept and a polygonal apse. The four-ribbed vaults are decorated alternatively with golden stars on a blue background and paintings. The second vault is decorated with roundels with busts of Christ facing St. Francis and the Virgin facing St. John the Baptist. The entrance vault gives us the Four Latin Doctors of the Church : St Gregory facing St Jerome and St Ambrose facing St Augustine. These are ascribed to the Isaac Master. “Saint Gregory” redirects here. ... For other uses, see Jerome (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Ambrose (disambiguation). ... “Augustinus” redirects here. ...

The choir has 102 wooden stalls with carvings and marquetry by Domenico Indovini (1501). In their centre, on a raised platform, stands the papal cathedra.

Crucifixion by Cimabue

The west end of the transept and the apse have been decorated with many frescoes by Cimabue and his workshop (starting in c. 1280). The magnificent Crucifixion, with St. Francis on his knees at the foot of the Cross, stresses again the veneration of the Passion of Christ by St. Francis. Sadly, the frescoes of Cimabue soon suffered from damp and decay. Due to the use of lead oxide in his colours and to the fact that the colours were applied when the plaster was no longer fresh, they have deteriorated and have been reduced to photographic negatives. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 557 pixelsFull resolution (2048 × 1427 pixel, file size: 387 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 557 pixelsFull resolution (2048 × 1427 pixel, file size: 387 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Crucifix (1287-88) Panel, 448 x 390 cm Basilica di Santa Croce, Florence. ...

Prior to him there had been some decorations in the upper right hand section of the transept by an (anonymous) Northern Master, probably an English artist (1267-1270). He realized the two lunettes and the roundels on the west wall with paintings of the Angel and the Apostles. Another (anonymous) master, the Roman Master, painted the Isaiah and the David and the remainder of the wall under the eastern lunette. In architecture, a lunette (diminutive of French lune, moon) is a half-moon shaped space, either masonry or void. ... The modern proportion RAF roundel A roundel in heraldry is any circular shape; in military use it is an emblem of nationality employed on military aircraft and air force flags, generally round and consisting of concentric rings of different colors. ...

Isaac rejects Esau, ascribed to Giotto or to the Isaac Master

The upper part on both sides of the nave, badly damaged by the earthquake of 1997, was decorated in two rows with in total 32 scenes from the Old Testament (starting with Creation of the World and ending with Joseph forgives his brothers) and the New Testament (from the Annunciation to The Women at the Tomb), while the upper register of the entrance wall is covered with two frescoes Pentecost and Ascension of Jesus. Since it took about six months to paint one bay of the nave, different Roman and Tuscan masters, followers of Cimabue, have performed this series of scenes such as Giacomo, Jacopo Torriti and Pietro Cavallini. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 771 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (2536 × 1971 pixel, file size: 446 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 771 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (2536 × 1971 pixel, file size: 446 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Giacomo, a thoroughbred race horse trained by John Shirreffs, won the 2005 Kentucky Derby in 2:02. ... Jacopo Torriti was an Italian painter and mosaic maker who lived in the 13th century. ... The Last Judgement (detail of the Apostles) Pietro Cavallini (1259-1330) was an Italian painter and mosaic designer working during the Renaissance. ...

The two frescoes of the life of Isaac (Isaac blesses Jabob and Esau in front of Isaac) in the middle register of the third bay, are traditionally ascribed to the young Giotto (1290-1295) (previously wrongly ascribed to Cimabue by Vasari). But even this has been controversial. Many critics esteem these the work of the anonymous Isaac Master and his workshop. Deducing from stylistic details, attesting to his Roman background, some think that the Isaac Master may have been Pietro Cavallini or a follower. Pietro Cavallini had painted around 1290 a similar fresco Isaac blessing Jacob in the convent of the church Santa Cecilia in Trastevere in Rome. The position of the resting Isaac looks like the same position of the Virgin in Cavallini's mosaic Birth of the Virgin in the apse of the church Santa Maria in Trastevere in Rome. The Isaac Master is considered one of the first practitioners of the true fresco (buon fresco) technique. Giorgio Vasari (Arezzo, Tuscany July 3, 1511 - Florence, June 27, 1574) was an Italian painter and architect, mainly known for his famous biographies of Italian artists. ... The Last Judgement (detail of the Apostles) Pietro Cavallini (1259-1330) was an Italian painter and mosaic designer working during the Renaissance. ... Chapel Interior at Night. ... Santa Maria in Trastevere is one of the oldest churches in Rome. ...

St Francis preaches in the presence of pope Honorius III, ascribed to Giotto or to the Master of the Legend of St Francis

But the most important decorations are the series of 28 frescoes ascribed to the young Giotto along the lower part of the nave. Each bay contains three frescoes above the dado on each side of the nave, two frescoes in the east galleries beside the entrance, and two more on the entrance wall. Giotto used the Legenda Maior, the biography of St. Francis by St. Bonaventure (1266) to reconstruct the major events in the life of St. Francis. The prototype for this cycle may have been the (now lost) St Francis cycle by Pietro Cavallini in the church San Francesco a Ripa in Rome. The paintings are so vivid, as if Giotto had been a witness to these events. According to Vasari, they were executed in the period between 1296 and 1304. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 571 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (652 × 684 pixel, file size: 129 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Giotto di Bondone (1267-1337), Basilique Assise, Legend of St Francis, St Francis Preaching before Honorius III Faithful reproductions of two-dimensional original works cannot attract... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 571 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (652 × 684 pixel, file size: 129 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Giotto di Bondone (1267-1337), Basilique Assise, Legend of St Francis, St Francis Preaching before Honorius III Faithful reproductions of two-dimensional original works cannot attract... There are several things that have been named Giotto: Giotto di Bondone an Italian painter. ... The lower part of a wall, below the dado rail and above the skirting board. ... Saint Bonaventure of Bagnoregio (Italian: San Bonaventura) (1221 – 15 July 1274), born John of Fidanza (Italian: Giovanni di Fidanza), was the eighth Minister General of the Order of Friars Minor, commonly called the Franciscans. ... The Last Judgement (detail of the Apostles) Pietro Cavallini (1259-1330) was an Italian painter and mosaic designer working during the Renaissance. ... San Francesco a Ripa is a church in Rome. ... Giorgio Vasari (Arezzo, Tuscany July 3, 1511 - Florence, June 27, 1574) was an Italian painter and architect, mainly known for his famous biographies of Italian artists. ...

However the authorship of Giotto is disputed, due to the ambiguous attributions given in early descriptions of this work. Many Italian critics continue to support the authorship of Giotto and his workshop. But because of small differences in style with the frescoes of Isaac, it is thought that several or even all of these frescoes were painted by at least three separate painters, using the original concept of Giotto : the Master of Legend of St. Francis (the principal painter and probable supervisor of the cycle), the Master of the Obsequies of St. Francis and the Cecilia Master.

The first span of the ceiling is decorated with frescoes of the "Four Doctors of the Church“ ( Jerome, Augustine, Gregory and Ambrose), attributed either to a young Giotto or to one of his followers. The third span presents four heart-shaped medallions of the Christ, Mary, John the Baptist and Francis, painted by Jacopo Torriti. Jacopo Torriti was an Italian painter and mosaic maker who lived in the 13th century. ...

The cuspidate façade of the upper basilica has a portal in Gothic style with twin doors and a beautiful rose window.

References

• Bellucci, Gualtiero (2005). Assisi, Heart of the World. Assisi: Edizioni Porziuncola. 
• Turner, J. (ed.) (1996). Grove Dictionary of Art. MacMillan Publishers Limited. ISBN 1-884446-00-0. 
• Vasari, Giorgio (1998). Vite. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-283410-X. 
• Smart, A. (1983). The Assisi Problem and the Art of Giotto : A Study of the Legend of St. Francis in the Upper Church of San Francesco, Assisi. 

The Grove Dictionary of Art (1996) is a 34-volume encyclopedia of art. ... The Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, or Le Vite delle più eccellenti pittori, scultori, ed architettori as it was originally known in Italian, is a series of artist biographies written by 16th century Italian painter and architect Giorgio Vasari, which is considered perhaps the most famous...

Gallery

See also

• Gothic architecture in Italy

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Basilica di San Francesco

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The legend of Saint Francis painted by Giotto

Basilica di San Francesco, Assisi. ... Image File history File links Commons-logo. ... Image File history File links Commons-logo. ...

External links

• The Basilica of St Francis
• Frescoes of Giotto in the upper basilica
• Frescoes of Pietro Lorenzetti in the lower basilica
• Frescoes of Simone Martini in the lower basilica
• The Virtual Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi (Upper Basilica)

Coordinates: 43°04′29″N, 12°36′20″E Map of Earth showing lines of latitude (horizontally) and longitude (vertically), Eckert VI projection; large version (pdf, 1. ...