St. Francis and St. Elizabeth

Italian painter Piero della Francesca painted this St Francis and St Elizabeth around 1460 using oil and tempera on wood. The panel shows both saints standing in archways wearing 13th-century religious robes. St Francis bears a cross in his belt while St Elizabeth appears to hold something in her garments.

Piero's mathematical understanding of perspective makes the figures appear almost lifelike. The dark colors of their robes contrast sharply against the bright background, while halos above their heads reinforce their saintly appearance. This panel formed part of the Polyptych of Perugia. The work measures 124 by 64 centimeters and demonstrates Piero's characteristic geometric precision.