Anonymous
Canonisation of St Teresa in Rome 1622
17th century
Oil on canvas
165 x 211 cm
Museo Carmelitano Teresa de Jesús. Monasterio de la Anunciación de Nuestra Señora. MM. Carmelitas Descalzas. Alba de Tormes, Salamanca, Spain
The ceremony of canonisation took place on March 12, 1622 in the presence of Pope Gregory XV
In front of the Pope is depicted his nephew Cardinal Ludovico Ludovisi who was the promoter of the cause of canonisation
Gregorio Fernández 1576 - 1636
Saint Teresa de Jesús
Circa 1615
Polychrome statue
160 x 74 x 75 cm
Santuario de Nuestra Señora del Carmen Extramuros. Valladolid
Gregorio Fernández (1576 – 22 January 1636) was a Spanish Baroque sculptor of the Castilian school of sculpture
The most important collection of his work is in the National Sculpture Museum in Valladolid
He moved to Valladolid which was then the court of the Kings of Spain , between 1601 and 1606
Another sculpture of the saint by the sculptor is preserved in the Museum:(below)
Gregorio Fernández 1576 - 1636
Saint Teresa de Jesús
Circa 1625
Polychrome statue
172 x 103 x 85 cm
Museo Nacional de Escultura, Valladolid
The work was commissioned by the Convento de Nuestra Señora del Carmen (Carmelitas Calzados), Valladolid around the time of the canonisation of the saint
In her left hand she holds an open book inscribed, in which the name of her confessor, Pedro de Alcántara is included.
Here we see the dynamic saint but also one who meditates and writes
Luca Giordano (1634 – 12 January 1705)
The Transverberation of Saint Teresa
Circa 1664
Oil on canvas
202 x 157 cm
MM. Discalced Carmelites. Penaranda de Bracamonte, Salamanca
This work was commissioned by the Spanish diplomat Don Gaspar de Bracamonte 3rd Count of Peñaranda (c.1595 – December 14, 1676) for the Convent of the Incarnation of Discalced Carmelites of Penaranda de Bracamonte (Salamanca) where the work still resides
The Neapolitan Giordano was nicknamed 'Luca fa Presto' (Do it quick, Luke) by his contemporaries because of his enormous output and versatility.
He studied in Naples, Rome, Florence and Venice where he copied works by Tintoretto and Veronese whose style clearly influenced this composition.
The work commemorates the famous event which happened to the saint in 1559 at the Monastery of the Incarnation in Avila
All images (except from the Museum) are from a websie of an important Spanish exhibition to celebrate the the 500th anniversary of the birth of Mother Teresa of Jesús: "Teresa de Jesús, maestra de oración" Teresa of Jesus - Master of Prayer
The exhibition is organised by the Foundation of The Ages of Man, the Castilla y León and the Discalced Carmelite Order, in collaboration with other institutions and organizations who have carefully prepared for this important year in the cities of Avila and Alba de Tormes: the places where she was born to earthly life and eternal life.
More than 200 works of art and literature from all over Spain will be sent for the exhibition
The 91st General Chapter of her Order will also begin in Ávila on May 3
Here are two more images from what will prove a landmark exhibition:
Doménico Theotocópuli “El Greco” (1541-1614) (attributed to)
The Holy Face
Circa 1577-1580 / circa 1600
Oil on canvas
46 x 86 cm
Convento de las MM. Carmelitas Descalzas de Jesús Crucificado (antiguas Capuchinas del convento de la Purísima Concepción), Toledo
Alonso Cano (1601 – 3 September 1667)
St John of God
1653-1657
Oil on canvas
140 x 110 cm.
Archivo-Museo San Juan de Dios. Granada
The saint, dressed in the black habit of the Order, kneeling in profile, holds a crucifix
His head is tilted and illuminated with pallor mortis
He is on the point of human death and on the threshold of eternal life
The scene is a Transitus
He died on March 8, 1550, his 55th birthday, in Granada.
John was canonized by Pope Alexander VIII on October 16, 1690,
In a letter John wrote:
"If we kept before us the mercy of God, we would never be deficient in doing good, while strength was in us. For, when we make over to the poor, out of the love of God, what he himself has given us, his promise is that we shall receive a hundredfold in eternal happiness. That indeed is a fortunate and happy way of gaining a profit!
Who will not give over whatever he has to this best of merchants! He administers our business himself, and begs us with outstretched arms to turn to him and weep for our sins, and become servants in love, first for ourselves, and then for our neighbour.
For just as water extinguishes a fire, just so does charity blot out our sins.
So many people come here that I very often wonder how they can possibly be provided for. But Jesus Christ provides all things and feeds everyone. Many of the poor come into this house of God because the city of Granada is large and very cold, especially now in winter.
There are now more than one hundred and ten people living in this house, including the sick, the healthy, the servants and pilgrims. Because the house is open to everyone, it takes in all manner of sick people. There are people with useless limbs, the maimed, the lepers, the dumb, the insane, paralytics, and some who are suffering from cancer. Others are afflicted with senility, and there are many children, as well as the innumerable travellers and pilgrims who arrive here, and whom we provide with fire, salt and water, as well as pots to cook their food.
There is no charge made for all this, but Christ is our provider.
So, I am working here in debt, and I am a captive for the sake of Jesus Christ.
Often I owe so much that I dare not go out, in case I am seized for my debts. And when I see so many of my brethren in poverty, and my neighbours suffering beyond their strength, and oppressed in mind or body by so many cares, and am unable to help them, it causes me exceeding sorrow.
But I trust in Christ who knows my heart.
Then I say, ‘Accursed is the man who puts his trust in men, and not in Christ alone.’ You will be separated from men, whether you like it or not. But Christ is faithful and is with us always, and he provides all things. We are right to give him thanks. Amen."
St John of God Cartas y Escritos 18-19; 48-50
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