Francesco e Innocenzo III ad Assisi: riflessioni sull’iconografia francescana della missione evangelizzatrice

A renowned scene from Giotto's frescoes in Assisi, 'La conferma della regola,' depicts St. Francis receiving papal approval for his order's rule from Pope Innocent III. This study reveals that Giotto likely incorporated subtle visual cues to emphasize the evangelizing mission assigned by the pope while also hinting at the formalization of a written rule. The analysis suggests two key cultural references—imperial reception scenes and the 'Traditio legis' tradition—were used by Giotto, reflecting his medieval artistic imagination. These insights shed light on the ideological and iconographic choices behind this masterpiece, offering a deeper understanding of its historical and religious significance.

Barral i Altet, X. (2010). Francesco e Innocenzo III ad Assisi: riflessioni sull’iconografia francescana della missione evangelizzatrice. Ikon, 3, 9–22. https://doi.org/10.1484/j.ikon.3.63