Stitches and patches: The Franciscan habit in an engraving by Lucas Vorsterman

An early seventeenth century engraving by Lucas Vorsterman held by the National Gallery of Victoria and catalogued as the ‘Death of Saint Francis’ depicts the saint in a habit which shows clear wear and repair: there are frayed edges at the ends of the sleeves and several patches have been added. Focusing on Vorsterman’s engraving, this article explores the importance ascribed to the making and mending of the Franciscan habit - and the ways in which this could be indicated in prints from the late sixteenth to mid seventeenth century - with particular reference to the value placed on stitching.