Exploring the life, imagery and lasting appeal of Saint Francis of Assisi (1182–1226), this landmark book features a core of important historic paintings representing the saint by Giotto, Sassetta, Caravaggio, Zurbarán and El Greco. From his native Umbria, Saint Francis’s image spread rapidly to become a global phenomenon and a continuous source of artistic fascination. His commitment to the poor, powerful appeals for peace, openness to dialogue with other religions and embryonic environmentalism radically impacted the Church and society of his time, and still hold great interest today.   Spanning seven centuries and ranging from the earliest, relic-like objects to contemporary art in a variety of media, including works by Antony Gormley, Giuseppe Penone and a new commission from Richard Long, Saint Francis of Assisi reflects on the lasting legacy of Saint Francis – an inherently modern figure who retains a universal appeal. Published by National Gallery Global/Distributed by Yale University Press  Exhibition Schedule: The National Gallery, London, 6 May–30 July 2023  

An engaging and accessible account of how sin has been depicted in European art for centuries The depiction of sin has been fundamental to European visual culture for hundreds of years, especially-but not only-in Christian art. Addressing the mutable and often ambiguous representation of sin, this book highlights its theological underpinnings, cultural afterlife, and contradictory and controversial aspects from the 15th to the 21st century. Drawing on paintings from the National Gallery and elsewhere, including pictures by Cranach, Gossaert, and Velazquez, as well as contemporary art and sculpture, the author explores complex theological ideas-Original Sin, the Immaculate Conception, and confession, for example-that show familiar human behavior through moralizing or seductive images; in the process, Sin shows how art can blur the boundaries between our modern categories, religious and secular.