Exceptional 18th Century Framed Hand Painted Religious Panel Saint Francois Xavier

This is an exceptionally beautiful painted and illuminated altar panel which portrays Saint Xavier, a Navarrese Basque Roman Catholic missionary. It originates from a fine religious collection in the Champagne region of France and dates between 1790 and 1800.

The painting, a convent or monastery work, is an exquisite rendering of St. Xavier as a young bearded Jesuit with a flaming heart.

The painting, which is worked in the style of an illuminated manuscript, is on vellum. Luminous colors of terra cotta, French blue, deep green, grey, mustard and midnight blue give incredible richness to the tableau. In the center is an octagonal window medallion (4 1/4” x 2 3/4”) depicting Saint Xavier. Two large columns hold baskets of stylized flowers. There is a blue banner which drapes above the Saint, which bears the “all seeing eye” symbol. There is a large basket of stylized flowers above the banner. The outer frame is in gilt which reflects copper and rose colors. Stylized flowers surround the portrait with large columns to the left and right. A pair of cornucopia are filled with ferns and flowers. Arabesque scrolls are throughout, painted in rich gilt which reflects metallic colors. A banner is across the bottom, in the center is written in manuscript, “Saint Xavier”.

The panel is placed under glass in a wooden frame. The frame is a simple wood form, with an eye-ring screw added later to the back for hanging. The frame would date towards 1850. The frame is in sound order with wear to the edges and bottom as is typical with age. The glass shows no cracks or chips. It measures: 13” x 8” (illuminated panel) frame: 14 1/2” x 9 1/2”.

It is an exceptional example of an eighteenth century illuminated altar panel.