A striking woodcut by Émile Bernard, featuring Saint Francis in a moment of spiritual intensity, framed by decorative floral and angelic motifs.

This woodcut by Émile Bernard reflects the artist's engagement with the Cloisonnist style, a movement he helped define alongside Paul Gauguin. The work displays the characteristic bold outlines and flat areas of colour that define the aesthetic, stripping away unnecessary detail to focus on the graphic strength of the composition. Bernard, a central figure in the Pont-Aven school, often turned to religious and mystical subjects during this period of his career. The central panel depicts Saint Francis in a moment of spiritual ecstasy, his arms raised toward a celestial figure emerging from clouds. To his side, a grotesque, demonic figure provides a stark contrast, representing the duality of spiritual struggle. The central scene is enclosed by a decorative border featuring floral motifs and angelic figures, which frames the narrative within a structured, almost medieval context. The use of a single-colour ink on a neutral ground emphasises the linear quality of the work, drawing attention to the expressive gestures of the figures. Bernard's approach to this subject demonstrates his interest in the synthesis of form and symbol. By reducing the image to its essential components, he creates a visual language that is direct and immediate. The woodcut medium is well-suited to this style, as the carving process naturally encourages the use of strong, decisive lines. This piece is a clear example of the late nineteenth-century shift toward symbolic and decorative art, moving away from the naturalistic concerns of the Impressionists. The composition balances the central narrative with the surrounding ornamentation, creating a cohesive visual unit that functions both as a religious icon and a graphic design object.