Saint Francis

A small bird alights trustingly on Saint Francis' outstretched hand and another perches on his shoulder. Still another nestles against his chest in this beautiful portrait of the legendary saint. Ivan Borges sets the scene amid the rugged vegetation of Northeastern Brazil beneath a sky spangled with stars. Founder of the Franciscan order, Francis of Assisi believed in the brotherhood of all of God's creation. It is said that he once preached to hundreds of birds about being thankful to God for their wonderful clothes, for their independence, and for God's care. The birds stood still as the saint walked among them, flying off only when he said they could leave.

The Brazilian artist works in the woodcut technique to create this naif image in black and white.

Titled 'O São Francisco' in Portuguese.