St. Ignatius Loyola
Born 23 October 1491
Died 31 July 1556 Feastday - 31 July
Canonized - 12 March 1622 by Paul V
Statue created - c. 1667-1668
The statue was installed between May 1667 and July 1668. Sculptor - Giovanni Maria de Rossi
He was paid from August 1667 to November 1668 for eight statues.
Height - 3.1 m. (10ft 4in) travertine
The saint is represented with a receding hairline, hollow eyes and an intense expression. His left hand holds open a book, that his right hand points to, which is perhaps his "Spiritual Exercises". The iconography is derived from the portrait commissioned by the Jesuits to Jacopino del Conte on the day of the Saint's death. Ignatius was a Spanish knight who became a priest and theologian, and founded the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in 1539. Loyola's devotion to the Catholic Church was characterized by strict obedience to the Pope. St. Ignatius became an expert in the art of spiritual direction. He collected his insights in his book the 'Spiritual Exercises'. |