St. Vincent Ferrer 1671 - 1734

Andrea Procaccini created this engraving of St. Vincent Ferrer in the late 17th or early 18th century. During this time, the Catholic Church wielded considerable power, shaping cultural and artistic expression. The image presents Ferrer, a Valencian Dominican friar, with wings and a halo, signaling his saintly status. Ferrer's gaze is unwavering, and his raised hand directs our attention upward, towards divine authority. In his other hand he holds a book open, so all can read its message. Procaccini's engraving arrives in the wake of the Protestant Reformation, when religious imagery was a powerful tool for the Catholic Church to reaffirm its authority and inspire faith. Representations of saints often served to reinforce the Church’s teachings and offer models for the faithful. Ferrer, known for his preaching and missionary work, embodies the Church's mission to spread its doctrines. The engraving’s traditional representation serves to solidify the Church's ideals, inviting viewers to reflect on their own spiritual commitments.