San Francesco in Contemporary Italian Art: Review of Rome's MAXXI Exhibition

The exhibition 'Creature e creatori. San Francesco e l'arte contemporanea' at Extra MAXXI in Rome, curated by Beatrice Buscaroli, presents a multifaceted view of Saint Francis through contemporary artworks. Running until September 20, 2026, the show features works by Maria Lai, Bertozzi & Casoni, Vasco Bendini, Alberto Burri, Piero Manzoni, Paolo Canevari, and others. The exhibition explores themes of humility, nature, and spirituality, with pieces ranging from Maria Lai's sewn books to Paolo Canevari's golden triptych. Artists such as Alessandro Pessoli, Fulvio Piazza, and Marco Cingolani contributed site-specific works, including Nicola Samorì's 'Crudo sasso' on pink onyx. The show is part of the eighth centenary celebrations of Saint Francis, reflecting on his enduring influence in Italian art.