Description
The painting The Vision of St Francis Xavier by Baciccio is a masterpiece of the Italian Late Baroque. The artist manages to create a dynamic and exciting composition that captures the viewer's attention from the first moment.
In the painting, we see Saint Francis Xavier at the moment he receives the divine vision that will lead him to become one of the most important saints of the Catholic Church. Baciccio manages to capture the intensity of the moment through the use of movement and light. The saint is in a dramatic posture, with open arms and his gaze fixed on the sky. The light emanating from the vision illuminates his face, creating a halo effect that makes him appear almost divine.
Color is another key element in Baciccio's work. The artist uses a palette of vibrant, saturated colors that help create a sense of movement and vitality. The gold and yellow tones seen in the background and on the saint's clothing create a light effect that contrasts with the darker, somber tones seen at the bottom of the painting.
The story behind the painting is also interesting. Baciccio created it for the Church of Saint Francis Xavier in Rome, where the saint is buried. The work was commissioned by Cardinal Francesco Barberini and quickly became one of the most admired in the church.
A little known aspect of the painting is that Baciccio used his own face as a model for the saint. This can be seen in the way the artist renders the facial features of Saint Francis Xavier, which closely resemble those of Baciccio himself.
In short, The Vision of St Francis Xavier is a masterpiece of the Italian Late Baroque that stands out for its dynamic composition, its use of color and the intensity of the moment it represents. The story behind the painting and little-known details about its creation make it even more interesting for art lovers.