Margaret Pont: St Francis seen through the Eyes of Arthur Boyd: A Universal Vision

Arthur Boyd's examination of St Francis of Assisi took an original and radical interpretation. He looks at the saint’s childhood formation, his relationship to his followers, and indeed questioning whether a saint need followers. This lecture will present a brief account of the medieval St Francis, his terrain, and his followers, before exploring Boyd's extensive production of drawings, pastels, lithographs and tapestries. Arthur Boyd’s resulting legacy of the gift of Bundanon to the Australian people exemplifies the belief in non-materialism and a care for nature. Both Arthur and Francis were men of vision who shared “a hope for the good.”

About the speaker
Margaret Pont has a MA from Melbourne University, where she completed her thesis on Arthur Boyd's St. Francis of Assisi works. She is author of Arthur Boyd and Saint Francis of Assisi (Macmillan, 2004), and assisted Professor Emeritus Margaret Manion AO with the curation of the exhibition of 'The Life of Saint Francis'  tapestries at Newman College, University of Melbourne in 2009. She has collaborated with the National Gallery of Australia and Bundanon Trust for various public programmes and publications. Most recently Pont has undertaken research into early Christianity and Franciscanism, drawing upon resources at Sacro Convento, Assisi and the Vatican Library. The contribution and continuation of Italian spiritual values continues to be central to her research.

Ticket includes one beverage on arrival.

Limited parking available on-site.

Wheelchair accessible.

Banner image: Arthur Boyd (designer), Tapeçarias de Portalegre (manufacturer), St Francis being beaten by his father 1973. High warp tapestry. Collection: National Gallery of Australia, purchased 1975.  Arthur Boyd's work reproduced with the permission of Bundanon Trust.