Andrea Pozzo: The Apotheosis of Saint Ignatius (1685–1694)

(Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola at Campus Martius, Rome, Italy)

Andrea Pozzo (1642-1709) was an Italian Jesuit Brother who was also a painter and architect. This magnificent fresco is his best known work and is the ceiling of the Church of St. Ignatius in Rome. Pozzo used a technique called 'quadratura', in which architecture and art are intermixed (the ceiling of the church is flat in reality). Presented here is the Apotheosis of Saint Ignatius (the founder of the the Society of Jesus or the Jesuits order). Saint Ignatius is the figure somewhat below the centre. He is welcomed into paradise by Christ and the Virgin Mary while surrounded by all kind of allegorical figures. On both sides are the four continents represented (Asia and Africa on the right, America and Europa on the left). If you look closely you can see that the divine light of Christ shines on the saint, from the saint the light is transmitted to the four continents - a celebration of the missionary work of the Jesuits. Fresco from 1685–1694.