Artwork
Saint Ignatius de Loyola
Saint Ignatius de Loyola is an ink print by the Baroque artist Schelte Adams Bolswert. It dates from 1622 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Schelte Adamsz.
About this work
Overview
Schelte Adamsz. Bolswert, a Frisian engraver active in early‑17th‑century Antwerp, produced an engraving titled Saint Ignatius de Loyola in 1622. Executed in black‑and‑white, the print presents the Jesuit founder in a richly detailed, dramatic pose, surrounded by symbolic elements that emphasize his spiritual authority.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus, shown in elaborate ecclesiastical attire. He holds an open Latin text, likely a reference to his spiritual writings, while his other hand gestures upward, directing attention to a luminous, cloud‑shaped halo bearing a cross, underscoring his divine inspiration.
Technique & Style
Bolswert employed fine cross‑hatching to model the folds of the robes and the surrounding clouds, creating subtle gradations of tone that give the figure a three‑dimensional presence. The intricate line work reflects the Flemish print tradition of the period, balancing precise detail with a dramatic chiaroscuro effect.
History & Provenance
Bolswert was known for producing reproductive prints after the designs of Peter Paul Rubens and Anthony van Dyck, and he collaborated closely with Rubens’ workshop. This engraving, dated 1622, fits within his broader output of religious imagery intended for devotional circulation among Jesuit patrons and collectors.
Context
The early 1620s saw the Jesuit order expanding its influence across Europe, and visual representations of its founder served both didactic and propagandistic purposes. Bolswert’s print, created in the bustling artistic centre of Antwerp, reflects the Counter‑Reformation’s emphasis on clear, emotionally resonant imagery to reinforce Catholic doctrine.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Schelte a Bolswert or Schelte Adamsz. Bolswert (c. 1586 – 1659) was a Frisian engraver who worked most of his career in Antwerp where he was one of the lead engravers in Rubens' workshop. He is known for his…
