LifeArt. 800 years since the death of St Francis of Assisi

Francis of Assisi – visionary, saint and founder of a religious order

800 years after his death, we are still fascinated by his life, which he sought to live in harmony with God, with Creation and his fellow mortals, offering ways out of adversity and crises. Uncompromisingly committed to following Christ, Francis advocated poverty, care of the poor, the sick and the ostracised, peace and dialogue, and respect for Creation.

This Franciscan “LifeArt”, practised for centuries by the Order, is the theme of the exhibition, illustrated through art ranging from the Middle Ages to the present day, with everyday objects to complete the picture. The exhibits come from Germany, Switzerland, Austria and South Tyrol, many originating from Franciscan monasteries. During the exhibition, members of the Franciscan Order will be ready to answer questions about their monastic life.

The exhibition and the catalogue were produced in collaboration with the Münster Association for Franciscan Research.

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Eva Mazzucco (1925-2013), Hl. Franziskus, um 1974/1975, Bronze

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Franz von Zülow, Die Vogelpredigt, 1922, Lithografie, handkoloriert

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Wooden slippers of St John of Capistrano, 1451, Wien, Franziskanerkloster

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Franciscan friar mending shoes (detail), ca. 1850, Augsburg

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St Francis' Vision of the Cross, 1695, Salzburg, Kollegienkirche

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Pope Urban IV's Rule of St Clare, 1517, Brixen, Klarissenkloster

At the 2026 Salzburg Festival, the theme of “Francis” could be explored from another perspective through Olivier Messiaen’s opera Saint François d’Assise. The opera is dedicated to the life and work of Saint Francis and offers a striking artistic perspective on one of the most significant figures in history, brought vividly to life on stage by director Romeo Castellucci.

At the Salzburg Festival, Philippe Sly takes on the role of Saint Francis in Olivier Messiaen’s Saint François d’Assise. At DomQuartier Salzburg, he encounters the story of the saint from a different perspective.

© Salzburg Festival