Founder, poverty and Franciscan light · Saint Clare of Assisi

Rubens, Lippo Memmi, Giovanni di Paolo and Guercino represent Clare of Assisi as founder, visionary and spiritual companion of Saint Francis.

Clare of Assisi was born at the end of the 12th century into a noble family. Inspired by the preaching of Francis of Assisi, she left her home in 1212 and founded a female community in Saint-Damien attached to evangelical poverty. She became the first woman in Church history to write a religious rule approved for her order, shortly before her death in 1253. In the painting, Claire appears in brown or gray clothing, with veil, book, lily, cross and sometimes monstrance. This last attribute refers to the tradition according to which her prayer protected the monastery. Lippo Memmi gives her figure the precious frontality of an altarpiece. Rubens transforms the founder into a noble baroque presence and bright. Giovanni di Paolo recounts the blessing of bread before the Pope in a carefully constructed space. Guercino favors vision and appearance. Associated with Francis, Agnes of Assisi or Colette, Claire embodies a spirituality of simplicity, fraternity and contemplation. The "Saint Clare" selection notably compares Saint Clare of Assisi - Peter Paul Rubens and Saint Clare - Lippo Memmi. Its reading favors space.

Painting gives Claire few objects but a strong presence: the habit, the book and the light are enough to express a life of chosen poverty.