Sermon to the Birds

The Sermon to the Birds is one of the best-known images in the entire Franciscan cycle at Assisi and one of the scenes that most clearly expresses Saint Francis's relationship with nature. The episode derives from Franciscan hagiography and recounts how the saint, while travelling toward Bevagna, stopped before a multitude of birds and preached to them.

Instead of flying away, the birds remained before him, stretched their necks, opened their wings and seemed to listen to his words. The fresco transforms this miraculous account into a simple and highly effective visual narrative. Francis occupies the center of the composition and bends slightly toward the birds gathered at his feet. His gesture is calm and didactic: one hand is raised while the other accompanies his preaching.