St. Francis of Assisi

When George and Polly were commissioned to create a painting of St. Francis surrounded by large mammals, they knew that the request would pose a number of exciting but formidable challenges. The vision combined a natural setting with a supernatural perspective, encompassing the need to blend elements of Academic Realism and Classical Idealism. The fauna would have to be impressive without distracting from the unassuming friar. The lighting needed to play both literal and metaphorical roles, unifying the complex scene into a coherent whole. Finally, it was important to the artists and the patron that Francis's well-known love for furry creatures be placed in its original Medieval and Christ-centered context.

The resulting depiction offers a fresh and arresting take on the familiar motif of Francis preaching to the animals, retaining a monumental dignity where so many previous portrayals of the subject have descended into shallow sentimentality. The saint’s profound sense of interconnectedness with the natural world is powerfully evoked, but so is its often-overlooked source in his detachment from material goods. His gaze rests not on the imposing wildlife but on the austere sticks of wood in his hand, reminding the viewer that all these seemingly contradictory aspects of his spirituality—from the warmth of his fraternal affections to the intensity of his ascetism—find their meaning in the Cross.