Portiuncula Altarpiece (1393)

The Latin inscription of the frame of this large wooden panel records that Brother Francesco da Sangemini commissioned it in 1393, a time of war and famine, from the priest Ylarius (Ilario in Italian, Hilary in English) of Viterbo. 

This is the only known work by this artist and it contains the earliest surviving narrative cycle depicting the granting of the Portiuncula Indulgence. 

The scene immediately above the altar is the Annunciation, the moment at which the history of salvation began with the conception of Christ.

Directly above, the Virgin conveys to Christ St Francis' request for the Portiuncula Indulgence, thus completing the promise of salvation for all those who, confessing their sins, attend Mass here on the feast day.   St Francis offers the roses that had miraculously bloomed in the snow (see below).

This scene is particularly powerful because the viewer kneels where St Francis knelt, and he or she sees Christ and the Virgin as St Francis saw them. 

The scenes to the right show the events leading to the apparition:

• St Francis does penance in the brambles, and roses bloom where his blood falls on the snow; and

• he goes with the angels to the Portiuncula, holding the miraculous roses.

The scenes to the left show the events that followed:

• St Francis receives papal approbation for the Indulgence; and

• he proclaims the Indulgence in the presence of seven bishops outside the Portiuncula.