Bonaventure and the Maestro di San Francesco

Research suggests that the artistic decoration of Assisi's Basilica of San Francesco, particularly the scene of St. Francis' stigmatization, may reflect the theological thinking of Bonaventure, a prominent Franciscan leader who visited the site during his tenure as minister general. This finding implies that the artwork could date to after the completion of Bonaventure's influential work, the Legenda Maior. The study also highlights the significance of a large dated crucifix in Perugia, though its direct connection to Bonaventure remains less certain. By analyzing Franciscan art from this period, scholars aim to identify potential influences of Bonaventure's theological ideas on visual representation.

Renner, J. (2019). Bonaventure and the Maestro di San Francesco. Aesthetic Theology in the Franciscan Tradition, 20–48. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429318658-2