S Ignacio, Rome, Italy

Posted by MadScientist (Düsseldorf, Germany) on 24 January 2008 in Art & Design and Portfolio.

This trompe l'œil ceiling can be found in the second most important Jesuit church in Rome, Sant'Ignazio, where the founder of the Society of Jesus, Ignatius of Loyola, is glorified. The painting by Andrea Pozzo (1685) makes you believe that you're looking right into heaven, where Ignatius receives his epiphany (symbolized by light rays) and gets 'ignited' (hence his name). The then known parts of the world (located in the corners) are witnessing the scene. The beholder's eye moves immediately to Ignatius, though the Lord is exactly in the midst of the scene. This is a beautiful example of baroque illusionist painting.
I'll present more detail shots of this one in the near future.

Download my coffee-table book of selected postings here. Enjoy!

rome
italy
ceiling
church