H. Ignatius van Loyola 1664 - 1725

This anonymous engraving, likely made between 1664 and 1725, depicts Saint Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuit order. The central figure of the print is Saint Ignatius, dressed in the robes of a Jesuit priest. His hand gestures, pointing towards the sky and resting on his chest, reflect his dedication to his religious devotion. The inscription below his image identifies him as “S. Ignatius de Loyola, Societatis Iesu Institutor.” The print also features a radiant star above the saint, surrounded by two angels, a symbol of his religious fervor. The crucifix to the right suggests the importance of the sacrifice of Christ in the Jesuit teachings. The "H.I.H.S" inscription on the star refers to Jesus, highlighting the central role of Christ in Jesuit belief. This engraving, now housed in the Rijksmuseum, provides insight into the visual culture of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, showcasing the importance of religious figures and the artistic depiction of religious devotion.