Description
The painting Saint Francis Xavier in Dispute with the Emperor of Japan, by the artist Jan-Erasmus Quellinus, is an impressive work both for its original size of 300 x 430 cm and for its baroque artistic style. The composition of the work focuses on the figure of Saint Francis Xavier, who is in the center of the painting, discussing the Christian religion with the Emperor of Japan.
The use of color in the work is impressive, with a palette ranging from bright golds and reds to darker blues and greens. The lighting in the painting is also remarkable, with a bright light illuminating the figure of Saint Francis Xavier and highlighting his importance in the scene.
The story behind the painting is interesting as it represents a key moment in the history of evangelism in Japan. Saint Francis Xavier arrived in Japan in 1549 with the aim of spreading the Christian religion, but he encountered resistance from the local authorities. The painting depicts this moment of conflict between the Christian faith and traditional Japanese beliefs.
A little-known aspect of the painting is that it was commissioned by the Society of Jesus for the Colegio de San Ildefonso in Alcalá de Henares, Spain, where it is currently located. The work was done by Jan-Erasmus Quellinus, a Flemish artist who worked in Spain during the 17th century.
In summary, the painting Saint Francis Xavier in Dispute with the Emperor of Japan is an impressive work that stands out for its baroque artistic style, its composition, the use of color and lighting. In addition, it represents a key moment in the history of evangelization in Japan and was commissioned by the Society of Jesus for a Spanish school.