Sassetta | Saint Francis before the Sultan | NG4761

Saint Francis before the Sultan

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 Sultan
Group	San Sepolcro Altarpiece
Date made	1437-44
Medium and support	Egg tempera on poplar
Dimensions	86.4 x 53.2 cm
Acquisition credit	Bought with contributions from the Art Fund, Benjamin Guinness and Lord Bearsted, 1934
Inventory number	NG4761
Location in Gallery	Room 52

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Saint Francis before the Sultan by Sassetta

San Sepolcro Altarpiece

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San Sepolcro Altarpiece

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