Mirakel van de heilige Franciscus Xavier 1656 - 1706

Étienne Gantrel created this print, "Miracle of Saint Francis Xavier," sometime in the late 17th century. During this period, the Catholic Church wielded considerable influence, shaping not only religious life but also art and culture. Gantrel's print reflects the era's emphasis on religious subjects and the power of the divine. The image depicts Saint Francis Xavier, a prominent Jesuit missionary, performing a miracle. We see him amidst a group of onlookers, with a celestial vision unfolding above. This scene is not just a depiction of a religious event; it's a narrative imbued with the cultural and spiritual values of its time. What did it mean to witness or experience a miracle in the 17th century? How did it affirm or challenge existing social hierarchies? Notice how the composition reinforces the saint's power and the miracle's awe-inspiring nature. Consider the emotional impact of such an image on viewers then and now. Gantrel invites us to contemplate faith, power, and the human experience within a religiously structured world.