Images de la vie de Saint François d’Assise

Images de la vie de Saint François d’Assise is a play by Belgian dramatist Michel de Ghelderode, produced in 1927. The play depicts the life and death of Saint Francis of Assisi, an Italian friar known for his life of poverty and Christian charity. Ghelderode’s portrayal of the saint deviates from traditional religious plays, incorporating humor, naive realism, and advanced theatrical techniques alongside deep piety.12

Saint Francis founded the Franciscan orders and is a patron saint of Italy, ecology, and animals. He was born to a wealthy family but renounced his worldly possessions to embrace poverty. Ghelderode's work is characterized by its unique blend of reverence and unconventionality, reflecting his broader style which often includes violence, demonism, and Rabelaisian humor.12