The Saint Francis from Caravaggio

In the halls of the town of Seggiano there are some interesting paintings of the sixteenth century, secured by the risks of damage and theft. Among these stands a painting on canvas depicting St. Francis found coiled and abandoned in the sacristy of the church of San Bernardino.
The Superintendence at the Fine Arts of Siena attributed it to Bernardino Mei, Siena School of the Sixteenth Century, it is very beautiful and above all lights and shadows in the Caravaggio style.
It is for this reason, due to its uncertain origins, and for a series of historical coincidences that someone in Seggiano claims that there was also the hand of Caravaggio.
In fact, the Bourbon del Monte family, then the owner of the Potentino castle, was one of the Roman protections of the stormy Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio and, although there is no historical evidence, might have been hosted for some time, possibly hiding in Potentino. And there might have been grateful to her patrons.

From “Seggiano Curiosa”

by Fondazione Le Radici di Seggiano (website)