"Vision of Saint Francis in the flaming chariot". Carved, gilded and polychromed wooden relief. Colonial School. 17th - 18th century. 92,5 x 60 x 8 cm. Magnificent relief, the figures are almost free-standing. The scene depicts one of the episodes of the life of the saint, as told in the "Major Legend" written by Bonaventure, Minister General of the Order or Friars Minor (Franciscans) in 1260 when the Franciscan Chapter general took place and he was commissioned to write the Legend. The text describes twenty-eight episodes from the life of Saint Francis. In the episode depicted in this relief Saint Bonaventure writes: "Now while the Brethren were abiding in the place aforesaid, the holy man one Saturday entered the city of Assisi, to preach early on the Sunday, as was his wont, in the Cathedral Church. While the man devoted unto God was passing the night, after his wonted manner, in a hut within the Canons’ garden, praying unto God, and absent in the body from his sons,—lo, about midnight, while some of the Brethren were taking rest, others keeping vigil in prayer, a chariot of fire of marvellous brightness, entering by the door of the house, turned thrice hither and thither through the dwelling, and over the chariot a shining ball of fire rested, in appearance like unto the sun, making the night radiant. The watchful Brethren were astounded, they that slept were awakened and alarmed at the same moment…. For they all understood alike… that their holy Father was absent from them in body, but present in spirit, and that, transformed into such a likeness, illumined with heavenly rays, and flaming with ardent heat, he was shewn unto them of the Lord with supernatural might in a shining chariot of fire".