Altaar voor Aloysius Gonzaga in de Sant'Ignazio di Loyola te Rome 1698 - 1717

This engraving shows the Altar of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga in the Sant'Ignazio Church in Rome and was printed around 1696. Gonzaga, a member of the Italian aristocracy, renounced his title to join the Jesuit order, and this altar stands as a testament to his sainthood and the values he embodied. The image presents a constructed narrative, not only of Gonzaga's life but also of the ideals the Catholic Church sought to promote during the late 17th century. The architectural structure is adorned with symbolic elements; cherubs flank the altar, alluding to Gonzaga's purity and divine connection. The image of Gonzaga is central and is framed by clouds, signifying his ascent to heaven, and the scene is designed to inspire piety and reverence. Consider the context; the Catholic Church was navigating the complex dynamics of power and influence. It sought to inspire devotion and reaffirm its spiritual authority through art and architecture. How does this image invite reflection on the intersections of faith, power, and the construction of identity?