Bidspirit auction | Flemish school of the 17th

Flemish school of the 17th century - Saint Francis in ecstasy - Oil on oak panel. Dimensions: 73.5 × 102.5 cm. This work is representative of Flemish Baroque spirituality, inspired by the religious fervor of the Counter-Reformation, a movement that promoted devotion to the saints and the practice of spiritual exercises. In this composition, Saint Francis is depicted at the moment of his mystical encounter with God: his lifted gaze and ecstatic expression capture the intensity of the spiritual experience. At his feet, a skull and a book symbolize the fleeting nature of life and meditation on death. Unlike other representations, the saint does not display the stigmata, focusing more on the introspective sense of divine communion than on visible drama. Although the theme was widely disseminated in Italy and Spain—by ​​artists such as El Greco and Zurbarán—it was also explored in Flanders by masters like Van Dyck and Rubens. In this case, the dark, monochrome background accentuates the feeling of contemplation and reflection, inviting the viewer to contemplation. A work of profound spiritual significance and remarkable pictorial quality, belonging to the 17th-century Flemish School. Provenance: private collection. Lot in international warehouse (within the EU). Intra-EU shipping: no import duties apply within the EU. An export permit from the country of origin may be required.