The painting was originally positioned on the ceiling of the Franciscan church of San Nicolò, which justifies the foreshortened view of the two monks, seen from the bottom up. The painting glorifies the founder of the order of Saint Francis of Assisi as he receives the signs of the Passion of Christ on his hands, feet, and side. The ecstasy is set in a large natural space, with Francis's companion, Brother Leo, also present, although he is engrossed in reading and apparently oblivious to the miraculous event.