Melocco, Miklós Saint Francis with the birds
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Description
This delicate bronze sculpture is a preparatory study for Melocco Miklós’s half-life-size Saint Francis Speaking with the Birds, installed in the Szent Ferenc Pharmacy in Budapest’s 2nd District. In miniature form, the artist captures the essence of the theme: Saint Francis, patron saint of animals, in gentle communion with nature.
The figure of Francis stands upright and calm, rendered in Melocco’s distinctive, elongated style. His arms are slightly extended, holding small birds, while others gather around his feet. The composition is suffused with spiritual stillness and tender intimacy — the saint’s contemplative posture in harmony with the soft movement of the birds.
The bronze surface bears Melocco’s characteristic modeling — textured, vibrant, alternating between matte and polished areas. The white marble base enhances the purity and serenity of the figure, evoking both humility and transcendence.
Renowned for his monumental public works, Melocco here reveals a more personal side: his sensitivity to the sacred and the human. Saint Francis Speaking with the Birds exemplifies his ability to convey spiritual themes through simple forms, symbolic precision, and quiet emotion.
As a study for a major public sculpture, this piece holds exceptional value — not only as an autonomous artwork, but as a direct insight into the creative process of one of Hungary’s foremost sculptors.