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Monument to Saint Francis of Assisi

The Monument to Saint Francis of Assisi is an imposing sculptural group designed and made by the Lauretan sculptor Giuseppe Tonnini in 1927. The saint is shown standing with his arms raised and his palms facing the basilica, set on a stepped tufa base. Beneath the statue of the saint are five additional figures representing the followers who accompanied him to Rome to meet Pope Innocent III and seek recognition of the Rule. Its position in front of the Lateran Basilica is meaningful, recalling the dream of Pope Innocent III in which Saint Francis supported a basilica in honor of Saint John, a scene also depicted by Giotto in the fresco The Dream of Innocent III.

Bronze Monument to Saint Francis of Assisi with robed figures on a stepped stone plinth under a blue sky.
The Monument to Saint Francis of Assisi shows a bronze group of robed figures on a stone pedestal.
June 2019 © · CC BY 4.0
Monument to Saint Francis of Assisi with dark bronze figures on a stone plinth, including a hooded figure raising his hands toward the sky.
The Monument to Saint Francis of Assisi features dark bronze figures mounted on a stone plinth beneath a partly cloudy sky.
March 2011 © · CC BY 2.0
Bronze monument to Saint Francis of Assisi with a hooded figure standing above kneeling figures beside a stone base.
The Monument to Saint Francis of Assisi shows a bronze group of figures arranged on a stone base near the Lateran Basilica.
June 2005 © · Public domain
Bronze Monument to Saint Francis of Assisi on a tiered stone pedestal with a church building in the background.
The Monument to Saint Francis of Assisi stands on a stepped pedestal, with bronze figures set against a bright sky.
January 2005 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Monument to Saint Francis of Assisi, a dark bronze hooded figure with raised hands against a clear sky and autumn trees.
The Monument to Saint Francis of Assisi stands framed by autumn trees, with a glimpse of Rome’s architecture nearby.
1995 © · Public domain

Identification

TitleMonument to Saint Francis of Assisi
Sculpture typeImposing sculptural group

Creator

ArtistGiuseppe Tonnini
Artist originLauretan sculptor

Historical context

Date designed and made1927
Historical interpretationPlaced there because Pope Innocent III reportedly had a dream in which Saint Francis supported a basilica in honor of Saint John
Related artistic referenceThe dream is depicted in Giotto's fresco The Dream of Innocent III

Iconography and meaning

Depicted figureSaint Francis of Assisi
Main figure poseStanding with arms raised and palms facing the basilica
Additional figuresFive statues of the followers who accompanied him to Rome to meet Pope Innocent III for recognition of the Rule
Placement significanceIts position is said to be not accidental

Physical characteristics

BaseStepped tufa plinth

Location and ownership

Location relative to basilicaPlaced in front of the Lateran Basilica