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Notes
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Saint Francis of Assisi, eager to defend his faith through martyrdom, went to Syria to preach to its Muslim population around 1219, at the time of the Fifth Crusade (one of a series of invasions of Muslim countries by Christian armies attempting to recapture the Holy Land). He was captured and taken before Sultan al-Malik al-Kamil, who was defending Damietta from the Christian forces. He attempted to convert the Sultan to Christianity, offering to go through fire for his faith. The Sultan politely declined and sent Francis back to the Christian army. This painting comes from the San Sepolcro Altarpiece, a large and complex altarpiece painted for the Franciscans of Borgo San Sepolcro. The back of the altarpiece depicted Saint Francis in Glory surrounded by eight scenes from his life, seven of which are in the National Gallery’s collection.
Title
Saint Francis before the Sultan
Date
1437-44
Medium
Egg tempera on poplar
Measurements
H 86.4 x W 53.2 cm
Accession number
NG4761
Acquisition method
Bought with contributions from The Art Fund, Benjamin Guinness and Lord Bearsted, 1934.
Work type
Painting
The National Gallery, London
Trafalgar Square, London, Greater London WC2N 5DN England
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Saint Francis before the Sultan The National Gallery, London - 1 more
