Painted Limoges Enamel Plate Depicting Saint Francis Of Assisi Receiving The Stigmata – 17th Century

Rectangular plaque made of enamel painted on copper, a 17th-century Limoges piece, depicting Saint Francis of Assisi receiving the stigmata.

The saint is depicted kneeling, dressed in the Franciscan habit cinched with a cord, his hands open to reveal the stigmata. Above him appears the seraph holding a cross, evoking the mystical vision received by Saint Francis on Mount Alverne.

At his side are depicted several attributes associated with meditation and penance: a crucifix, an open book, and a skull.

The scene is set within an oval medallion set against a deep blue background, surrounded by a rich decoration of white scrollwork and foliage accented with gold, characteristic of Limousin painted enamel production of that period.

The face, hands, and drapery are rendered with finesse, in a palette dominated by blue, white, and gray, with a few red and gold highlights.

The plaque shows several old chips and areas where the enamel is missing, particularly along the upper and lower edges, revealing the copper in places. Despite these imperfections, the composition remains perfectly legible and retains significant decorative and iconographic interest.

Presented in a later carved and molded wooden frame.