ekphrasis on Saint Francis and human nature

This has been my go-to painting at the Milwaukee Art Museum. I visit it whenever I can, and this JPEG has been in my personal library for a few years. It's obviously moody, and because of that it has also prompted me to think of so much beyond the canvas. In that, I do not let my atheism and Saint Francis's Catholicism get between me and his ideas. As it happens, current events are now meshing with and summoning those thoughts. I had to respond. I'm attaching my photo of the painting and my manuscript. I hope they'll suffice for the project.
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PS - I may be able to help with the painting's provenance. Please inquire if you're interested.