The original of this image of St. Francis was hand painted on a 40”x 69” buffalo hide by a Franciscan missionary in the 17th century in what is now New Mexico. Silkscreen artist Martha Ann Wallker created a print based on the original. My mother, Stella Marie Schmitt Ely (1912-1946) wrote a poem describing the print. The print is in a book Sacred Paintings on Skin published in 1944 by the Museum of New Mexico Press. Paintings were done with native vegetable dyes on animal hides were prepared as graphic teaching aids. The Friars could easily roll them and carry them on to the next stop on their missionary journeys.
Francisco was a wealthy youth, well-loved
By all his friends, and loving pleasure, too.
Made prisoner in Perugia, he found
His life an empty one, and searched his mind
For friends and deeds of honest godliness.
From this time on, he cast aside the world
And turned to simple, daily things
Which of no moment seemed to him before.
With poverty he armed himself, as with
A shining, costly cloak; all living things
His brothers were; he preached unto the birds
With gentleness and sweet sincerity.
That birds and beasts, and humans, too were won.
St Francis for his brethren made the rule
Of poverty, and chastity, and of
Obedience. Franciscans they were called,
And to this way of life they still and here.
The all wore simple habits, girded with
A rope, barefoot, in humble penitence.
But Francis wore, in hands and feet and side,
The glorious marks of Christ’s own wounds
Upon the Cross - - the stigmata.
‘Tis thus we see him in New Mexico—
Garbed simply, sandals on his feet,
A hempen cord about his waist.
He contemplates a crucifix, and in
His hand he holds a skull to signify
The emptiness of Life. Behind him are
His monuments to God – Before him are
All living things to whom he gently speaks,
As long ago he spoke unto the birds.
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