Print Description
An engraving showcasing the miracle of St. Francis of Paola involving a failed attempt to transfer a ballista down a steep path, citing Ioannes 11:47 [John 11:47].
Made by an anonymous engraver/artist.
Medium: Etching on hand-laid (verge) paper. Watermark: coat of arms.
Sheet size: 16 x 22.7 cm (6.3 x 8.94 inch). Image size: 16 x 22.7 cm. (6.3 x 8.94 inch).
Condition: good, given age. General age-related toning and/or occasional minor defects from handling. Please study scan carefully.
SAINT FRANCIS OF PAOLA, MIRACLE, BALLISTA, ENGRAVING, HISTORICAL PRINT, RELIGIOUS ART, 16TH CENTURY. | EXPO-456 (ITALIAN)
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Religious artwork linked to the miracles associated with St. Francis of Paola.
[“Here is this man performing many signs.” John 11.
Julius Bartucius, after the death of S. Francis, transferred a ballista (a joyful one) of enormous proportions from the camp of Cosentia to Paola. And when (this one) had to be brought down from a mountain-top along a very steep place (which is called ‘della Macchia’) under great danger after the breaking of the machine (?) by 20 yoke of oxen, the said Iulius, aided by the strong hand of young men, wrapped the great cable with which the gladness was fastened, around a certain tree (with the intention that it should glide down by their hands only gradually). When the said Julius and so many young men were unable to stop her because of the speed (which was the result of the weight sliding down), Iulius fell to the ground while they were exerting themselves beyond their strength at the tree to which the cable was fastened. And when he felt that his feet were wrapped and bound in the coils of the cable, so that he could not escape the breaking of his legs except by a gift of God, he cried, embracing the tree: “O Saint Francis of Paola, help me.” And at that word, the whole “machina” made way… while she appeared (in her own words) a certain brother of the order of St. Francis of Paola, who was holding the cable (to prevent the chariot from falling into an abyss).
John Francis, then Count of Arena (?) had at home an image/image of the holy man, with which the son of his lord of the castle who was seriously ill (then the Latin is wrong in my opinion) (when that image was requested and offered to him, xxi soon after he had kissed her with reverence, soon recovered.].
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