Miracle of St. Ignatius of Loyola 1617

Peter Paul Rubens painted “Miracle of St. Ignatius of Loyola”, in the early 17th century. It’s a Baroque depiction of the founder of the Jesuit order performing a miracle. Rubens situates Ignatius center stage, bathed in divine light, as he seemingly cures the sick and possessed. But it’s worth noting that in this era, accusations of possession often targeted women, the poor, and those on the margins of society, rendering the miracle in this image, less about faith than social control. Consider the emotional theatre Rubens constructs. The writhing bodies, the upturned gazes – all designed to inspire awe and reinforce the Church's authority amidst the turbulence of the Counter-Reformation. It makes you wonder about the real-life experiences of those labeled as “possessed” and the power dynamics at play. This painting then, is not just a celebration of a saint, but a reminder of the complex intersections of religion, power, and identity in shaping our understanding of miracles and madness.