Admission of Saint Clara (?) to the Franciscan Order

Benozzo Gozzoli

Summary

A reproduction produced by the Vasari Society of a drawing by Benozzo Gozzoli. The drawing shows a scene taking place at the entrance of a grand building to the right of the composition. This building has columns, between which stands a monk wearing a habit. He is holding his right hand out to bless a girl who is kneeling on the steps of the building. The girl is facing towards the right and has her hands raised in prayer; she has a halo around her head. Behind this girl stands a small crowd, the nearest two of which are woman and are described in detail. On the right, behind the columns of the building, stands a crowd of monks. Further down the street are much simpler buildings, which can be seen in the left background. Text from the accompanying booklet produced by the Vasari Society: "No. 3 BENOZZO GOZZOLI (b. 1420; d. after 1497) THE ADMISSION OF ST. CLARA (?) TO THE FRANCISCAN ORDER Königliches Kupferstichkabinet, Dresden. (From the Richardson, sen., Lawrence, and Woodburn Collections.) Pen and bistre, with bistre wash. 16.5 x 10.4 cm. (6 1/2 x 4 1/8 in.) The scene is at the portico of a monastery, Before the steps of the portico a young girl (indicated as a saint by the halo) kneels before St. Francis, who has advanced between the columns and inclines to her, holding in his hand what seems to be a pair of shears for clipping her hair. Behind St. Francis, to the right within the portico, stands a group of monks, one of them holding the habit of the order over his arm; and behind the kneeling girl, to the left, a group of attendant women. Pleasant and characteristic work of the master, intimately connected with the next subject. The young girl seeking admission to the order seems to be too youthful for St. Clara; otherwise the scene might well be taken as illustrating her reception by St. Francis at the Portiuncula, according to the well-known legend. ... S. C."