Saint Bernardino Preaching from a Pulpit
ca. 1470-75
Francesco di Giorgio Martini captures the fiery energy of Saint Bernardino of Siena, a famous Franciscan friar known for his charismatic sermons. Here, the saint stands elevated behind a simple, sturdy wooden pulpit, his arm outstretched as if commanding the attention of a massive crowd. The striking, solid blue background isn't just a stylistic choice; it was a common technique in Sienese painting to make the holy figures pop and symbolize the heavens. Bernardino was so popular that people would travel miles just to hear him speak, often causing traffic jams in the towns he visited!
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