Sassetta | Saint Francis before Pope Honorius III | NG4759

Saint Francis before Pope Honorius III

Sassetta

This painting is one of seven panels that come from the back of a large two-sided polyptych. It was made for the high altar of San Francesco, Borgo Sansepolcro and depicts the life of Saint Francis, founder of the Franciscan Order, who died in 1226.

The altarpiece was commissioned in 1437 and was installed in 1444. The front, showing the Virgin and Child with saints, would have been seen by the congregation, while the back, with Saint Francis in Glory, would have been seen by the friars in the choir. The eight panels of the Life of Saint Francis which accompanied this image would also only have been seen by the friars.

All but one of the scenes ('The Wolf of Gubbio') of the San Sepolcro altarpiece is based on Saint Bonaventure's life of Saint Francis, the 'Legenda Maior'.

Key facts

Artist	Sassetta
Artist dates	active by 1427; died 1450
Full title	Saint Francis before the Pope: The Granting of the Indulgence of the Portiuncula
Group	San Sepolcro Altarpiece
Date made	1437-44
Medium and support	Egg tempera on poplar
Dimensions	88.4 x 52 cm
Acquisition credit	Bought with contributions from the Art Fund, Benjamin Guinness and Lord Bearsted, 1934
Inventory number	NG4759
Location in Gallery	Room 52

Download image

Download low-resolution image

Download an 800px wide, 72dpi copy of this image.

License this image

License and download a high resolution image for reproductions up to A3 size from the National Gallery Picture Library.

License image

Download low resolution image

This image is licensed for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons agreement.

Examples of non-commercial use are:

Research, private study, or for internal circulation within an educational organisation (such as a school, college or university)
Non-profit publications, personal websites, blogs, and social media

The image file is 800 pixels on the longest side.

As a charity, we depend upon the generosity of individuals to ensure the collection continues to engage and inspire. Help keep us free by making a donation today.

Yes, I'd like to donate

Download low resolution image

You must agree to the Creative Commons terms and conditions to download this image.

Saint Francis before Pope Honorius III by Sassetta

San Sepolcro Altarpiece

;

San Sepolcro Altarpiece

More paintings by Sassetta