San Francesco che traversa un rogo ardente, Marble relief depicts a scene from the life of Saint Francis in which he traveled to Egypt in an attempt to convert the Muslim Satan al-Kamil to Christianity during the fifth crusade. Once received by the Sultan, Saint Francis apparently began a trial by fire in which he challenged the Muslim priests to walk through the fire to see who remained unburned. The priests did not wish to enter the challenge so Saint Francis alone walked through the flames and remained unburned. Here, the image depicts Sultan al-Kamil sitting on an elevated dais with his priests on the left and Saint Francis with his fellow Franciscans on the right. At Saint Francis' feet, an open flame burns., 1472-76

Item — Box: 302

Identifier: spc-mss0088-s46-i0298

San Francesco che traversa un rogo ardente, Marble relief depicts a scene from the life of Saint Francis in which he traveled to Egypt in an attempt to convert the Muslim Satan al-Kamil to Christianity during the fifth crusade. Once received by the Sultan, Saint Francis apparently began a trial by fire in which he challenged the Muslim priests to walk through the fire to see who remained unburned. The priests did not wish to enter the challenge so Saint Francis alone walked through the flames and remained unburned. Here, the image depicts Sultan al-Kamil sitting on an elevated dais with his priests on the left and Saint Francis with his fellow Franciscans on the right. At Saint Francis' feet, an open flame burns.

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Scope and Contents

Vanderbilt photo identifier: SC.MSS.088.SCUL.0276; Public Notes: Marble relief belongs to a series of scenes depicted on the Pulpit of Santa Croce, commissioned by Pietro Mellini, a wealthy banker, relief was to be a funeral monument.

Dates

Creation: 1472-76

Creator

Benedetto da Maiano (alternatively: Benedetto da Majano; Benedetto di Leonardo) (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection may be viewed only in the reading room of Special Collections in the Jean and Alexander Heard Library. Collections should be requested 2-3 days prior to visiting in order to facilitate easier access. For questions or to request a collection, contact specialcollections@vanderbilt.edu.

Biographical / Historical

Subjects: Sculpture; Marble Relief; Funeral Monuments; Sultan al-Kamil; Religious Subjects; Franciscans; Crusade Scenes; Trial by Fire; Monastic Orders; Scenes from the Life of Saints; Saint Francis; Scenes from the Life of Saint Francis; Technique: sculpting; Work type: sculpture