Saint Francis Xavier with a divine light emanating towards him from the upper left, with a crucifix, mitre, and book on a table at left (1622)
Original title: Saint Francis Xavier with a divine light emanating towards him from the upper left, with a crucifix, mitre, and book on a table at left
kurzbeschreibung
An anonymous engraving from 1622, this copy depicts Saint Francis Xavier in a white robe with his hands folded on his chest. Divine light beams down on him from the upper left. On a table to the left rest a crucifix, a mitre, and a book. Latin inscriptions appear in the lower section.
Description
Saint Francis Xavier occupies the center of the image, dressed in a white robe with a cap and cloak; his hands are folded over his breast. A bright light streams from the upper left and surrounds a crucifix with the figure of Christ in the background. On a table to the left are placed a crucifix, a mitre, and a book. The layout feels symmetrical, with the saint at the center and the cross to the left. The handling of light and shadow brings out the texture of the clothing and objects.
Context
The print was made in 1622 as a copy of an engraving, likely on the occasion of the canonization of Francis Xavier in that same year. The unknown engraver followed a model that was widely circulated in Catholic visual propaganda of the Counter-Reformation. The Latin inscriptions served to identify and venerate the saint.
Impact
The symmetrical arrangement and fine engraved lines give the sheet a calm, devotional mood. The divine light creates a spiritual exaltation, while the detailed rendering of fabrics and objects displays the engraver's craftsmanship.
Technique
The engraving is executed with fine, precise lines that model shadows and textures. It is a reproduction, probably distributed as a single-sheet print in a larger edition. The sheet has been trimmed and measures 39.1 cm in height and 25.5 cm in width.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)