"The Franciscan Effect" - How the Poverello of Assisi Kickstarted the Renaissance

Join art historian Dr. Elizabeth Lev as we celebrate the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis! 

The year of St Francis is a wonderful time to reevaluate the legacy of one of history's most beloved saints. In this talk, Dr. Liz Lev looks at the claim that the saint's life, preaching and devotion to Christ's Passion, prepared the terrain for the rebirth of art. The return of nature, human emotion and even perspective can be traced back to the movement started by St Francis, who preached in word and deed so effectively that he ultimately became the first saint to receive the stigmata—the marks of Christ—crucified on his body. You'll see how Giotto, Dante and even Michelangelo can be traced to the influence of this great patron of Italy, a wonderful way to celebrate his 800th Jubilee!