Cloister work - Death of St. Francis Xavier

In a dilapidated sea-side hut with open sides the young bearded Jesuit monk lies on a mat in black habit with a crucifix in his hand. Beside him are his attributes: a pilgrim's stock, a broad-rimmed black hat and a book. Above him are three winged angel heads among the clouds in the background, under a dark blue sky with lightning, a ship is tossed about in the sea.

The painted parchment leaf is framed by an embroidery with a patterned silk base: embroidered with metal thread, ornamented with metal bands, wire and spangle rococo foliage and shells with coloured, shaded satin stitch flowers and foliage.

In the 17th and 18th century Francis Xavier (1506-1552) was often represented, as the first apostle to India and Japan, the patron saint of missionaries, sailors and plague victims. According to the legend, the young missionary was travelling towards the Chinese town of Kanton when he felt his death approaching and asked to be put on the nearby island of Shang-Tsuan here he was quite alone and the angels took care of him until his death.