Technical Datasheet
A candlestick sculpture of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, conceived to be dressed with luxurious priestly robes during major religious ceremonies. Regularly, it wears a simple black cassock of stiffened fabric, made in the 19th century. Only the head and the hands are carved. It was made in 1610 by Martínez Montañés for the beatification of the founder saint of the Jesuits.
It is presented standing, looking at the cross it holds in its right hand, which substitutes an original monstrance. The countenance, carved realistically and provided with a profound religious devotion, hangs closely with the "vera effigies" of Saint Ignatius spread by the Jesuits.
It is known that this image was done by Matínez Montañés in 1610, because of the beatification of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, thanks to the testimony of the artist Francisco Pacheco in his "The Art of Painting": "But, in spite of the envy, the head and the hands of whom is dressed at his altar in the Professed House that Juan Martínez Montañés made of sculpture (painted by my hand) I am sure that it is ahead of some images done for this saint because it looks truly alive: done in the year 1610".
This effigy headed a Baroque altarpiece which was located on the side of the Gospel of the cruise, raised at the expensed of the brother Bartolomé of Morales. It made a debut with big celebrations in 1694. It was destroyed in the 19th century, during the reform made by the dean López Cepero under neoclassical ideals.
References:
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Ros González, F. S., "Manuel López Cepero y la reforma de la Iglesia de la Universidad de Sevilla", en Laboratorio de Arte (Universidad de Sevilla, 421-452, Sevilla, 2006).
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Sánchez-Mesa Martín, Alonso Cano (1601-1667) y la escultura andaluza hacia 1600Catálogo de Exposición (Obra Social Cajasur, Córdoba, 2000).
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Pacheco, F., Arte de la Pintura (Cátedra, Madrid, 2001).
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Falcón, T., Bernales, J. et alii., Patrimonio artístico y monumental de las universidades andaluzas. (Sevilla, 1992).
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Bray, Xavier et alli., The sacred made Real. Spanish painting and sculpture 1600-1700.Catálogo de Exposición (National Gallery Company of London, Londres, 2009).
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Falcón Márquez, T., et alii., Universidad de Sevilla. Patrimonio monumental y artístico. (Sevilla, 1986).
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Falcón, T. [com.], Morón de Castro, M.F. [subcom.], Universitas Hispalensis. El patrimonio de la Universidad de Sevilla.Catálogo de la Exposición (Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, 1995).
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Falcón Marquez, T. (Dir.), V Centenario. Universidad de SevillaCatálogo de Exposición. (Universidad de Sevilla y Fundación El Monte., Sevilla, 2005).
NºCatalogue
1518L-00-IA-ESC
Typology
Chronology
1610
Style
Technique
Materials
Location
Dimensions
174 x 68 x 51 cm (con peana 189 x 82 x 55 cm)
Collection
Form of entry
Date of admission
22-08-1769
