Exploring the town of Assisi, souvenir shops lined the streets and alleys leading up to the Basilica of San Francesco. One store after the other, shelves were consumed by miniature figurines of St. Francis, some beautifully made, and others, quite humorous. By observing the St. Francis kitsch, an analysis will be made of the purposes they serve, the messages they share, and the audience that they attract.
The figurine of St. Francis excessively drinking wine directly from the barrel challenges one of the seven Social Teachings of the Catholic Church regarding the Life and Dignity of the Human Person, portraying him in a negative light and further establishing the purpose of this souvenir as a humorous product. This art depicts St. Francis in an unrealistic way for it is unexpected to see a Saint overindulging in wine. This action alone goes against the Catholic beliefs of alcohol and gluttony, essentially portraying St. Francis as a victim of sin. The Life and Dignity of the Human Person emphasizes the importance of human life while dignity and sacredness set the foundation of a moral vision for society. Rather than showcasing St. Francis with dignity and grace, he is shown as a chubby drunkard. Religious members would not appreciate this type of art, as they would most likely find it very disrespectful as it taints St. Francis’ reputation and sacredness.
Much like the souvenir above, this figurine challenges the healthy lifestyle and standards expected of a Catholic member by portraying St. Francis as a lazy, overindulgent man. As seen in a fresco at the church of St. Francis in Castiglion Fiorentino, as well as these two souvenirs, overindulgence and gluttony seem to be a major topic of humor when creating the character of St. Francis. However, this character simply does not align with the stories and teachings of this remarkable Saint. Instead, St. Francis was known for his strong relationship with Jesus, as well as his adoration for nature and all creation. The souvenirs share a false message about the Saint, serving a purpose solely for humor and commercial interest. The humor derives from the absurdity of seeing a Saint partake in such blasphemous activities that compete with the social teachings of the Catholic Church.
Rather than depicting St. Francis in a positive light, the popular art seen in Assisi protests the Catholic social teaching of the importance of Life and Dignity of the Human Person.
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