Transverberação de Santa Teresa 1672

Josefa de Óbidos created this oil on canvas painting, "Transverberação de Santa Teresa." The artwork depicts Saint Teresa of Ávila experiencing a mystical union with God, a theme that offered Óbidos the opportunity to showcase her skills in rendering emotion and spiritual intensity. She carefully layered oil paints to build up the rich colors and textures of the scene. The contrast between the dark robes of Saint Teresa and the luminous, ethereal quality of the angels' garments is particularly striking. But what interests me most is how the artist handled the surface of the paint. The smooth, almost polished finish gives the painting a sense of refinement, reflecting the values of the Catholic Church. It also speaks to Óbidos's mastery of the craft, her ability to manipulate the materials to convey a powerful spiritual message. In the end, it's the combination of material, technique, and subject matter that elevates this painting beyond mere religious iconography, challenging distinctions between fine art and craft.