Heilige Ignatius van Loyola 1648 - 1681

Francois de Poilly created this print of Heilige Ignatius van Loyola, the founder of the Jesuit order, sometime in the 17th century. It’s a period marked by religious conflict and the rise of powerful religious orders within the Catholic Church. This engraving captures a moment of divine inspiration. Ignatius kneels, eyes upturned toward the heavens, where angels emerge from billowing clouds. Note the open book and the globe entwined by a serpent at his side, symbols of knowledge and worldly power, now secondary to his spiritual awakening. But who was Ignatius, really? Born into Spanish nobility, he experienced a profound transformation after being wounded in battle, leading him to abandon his ambitions for military glory, dedicating himself to a life of prayer and service. The print illustrates his personal journey and the broader efforts of the Jesuits to spread Catholicism across the globe. It invites us to reflect on the intersections of faith, power, and personal transformation.