Saints Ignatius of Loyola and Francis Xavier with Founders of the Religious Orders of Men

Name/Title

Saints Ignatius of Loyola and Francis Xavier with Founders of the Religious Orders of Men

Entry/Object ID

2013.12.2

Description

18th-c. Spanish Colonial painting of Saints Ignatius of Loyola and Francis Xavier with founders of other religious orders of men: St. Dominic (Dominicans), St. Francis of Assisi (Franciscans), St. Peter of Alcantara (Discalced Franciscans), and St. Peter Nolasco (Mercedarians).

Artwork Details

Medium

Oil

Made/Created

Date made

circa 1750

Time Period

18th Century

Dimensions

Dimension Description

Canvas

Height

47 in

Width

33 in

Dimension Description

Framed

Height

52-1/2 in

Width

38-1/2 in

Interpretative Labels

Label

Religious orders played a critical role in the conversion of Indigenous populations to Catholicism. This painting portrays Ignatius of Loyola and Francis Xavier, who founded the Society of Jesus in 1539. Ignatius holds the Jesuit motto, “Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam” (For the greater glory of God), while Francis holds lilies, symbols of purity. They are surrounded by founders of other religious orders, including Dominic (Dominicans), Francis of Assisi (Franciscans), Peter of Alcantara (Discalced Franciscans), and Peter Nolasco (Mercedarians). The saints stand in a neoclassical architectural space representing the earthly realm, while gazing towards a radiating Christogram denoting Jesus as the savior. Las órdenes religiosas tuvieron un papel crucial en la conversión al catolicismo de la población indígena. Esta obra muestra a Ignacio de Loyola y a Francisco Javier, fundadores de la Sociedad de Jesús en 1539. Ignacio sostiene un libro con el lema de la Orden, “Ad maiorem Dei gloriem” (Para la mayor gloria de Dios). Francisco, por su parte, sostiene una azucena, símbolo de pureza. Ambos están rodeados por fundadores de otras órdenes religiosas. Entre ellos, Dominico (dominicos), Francisco de Asís (franciscanos), Pedro de Alcántara (franciscanos descalzos) y Pedro Nolasco (mercedarios). Los santos están ubicados en un espacio arquitectónico neoclásico que hace referencia al ámbito terrenal, y contemplan un luminoso cristograma que alude al Cristo Salvador.

Label Type

Credit Line

Label

Purchased by Saint Joseph's University through the Ruth Prentiss Peters Living Trust and the Joseph P. Peters Living Trust