BERNARDO STROZZI (Campo Ligure, 1581 - Venice, 1644) Saint Francis Oil on canvas, 93.5X70 cm Traced back to the catalogue of Bernardo Strozzi by Camillo Manzitti, the scholar emphasises that there are no known replicas of this composition, unlike the countless versions depicting the Saint in the presence of or in the act of embracing the crucifix. He also suggests a date of execution at the beginning of the third decade, when the painter abandoned the soft modelling, rippling the material, infusing it with greater expressive vigour. The image highlights the peculiar interpretation of Caravaggism undertaken by the artist, with the figure emerging from the shadows thanks to a source of light falling from above to the left. The Lombardian influences of Giulio Cesare Procaccini (Bologna, 1574 ; Milan, 1625) and in particular Giovan Battista Crespi known as Cerano (Romagnano Sesia, 1573 ; Milan, 1632) are also evident, with the difference that Strozzi prefers a less exasperated and suffered vision of the Assisiate, highlighting his profound humanity. We are therefore in the presence of a canvas in which we can see the consolidation of his artistic personality, albeit adapted to a domestic purpose. Having said this, the illustrative simplification does not harm the qualitative outcome and this is perceived by observing the light direction, the peculiar glow of sanctity and the vanitas-like still life piece in the foreground, in which the author's talent can also be felt in this peculiar pictorial genre. We thank Camillo Manzitti for the attribution. The work is accompanied by a certificate of free circulation. Reference bibliography F. R. Pesenti, Bernardo Strozzi, in La Pittura in Liguria. Artisti del primo Seicento, Genoa 1986, pp. 9-32 C. Manzitti, Bernardo Strozzi, Turin 2013, ad vocem Bernardo Strozzi 1582 ; 1644, exhibition catalogue edited by A. Orlando and D. Sanguineti, Genoa 2019, ad vocem