“The path to God”. Francisco de Herrera the Elder’s wall paintings in the Franciscan Church of St. Bonaventure in Seville
“The path to God”. Francisco de Herrera the Elder’s wall paintings in the Franciscan Church of St. Bonaventure in Seville
Author(s): Andrzej WitkoSubject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, Visual Arts, Philosophy of Religion, 17th Century, Sociology of Art, Sociology of Religion
Published by: Wydawnictwo Naukowe Uniwersytetu Papieskiego Jana Pawła II w Krakowie
Keywords: Francisco Herrera the Elder; St. Bonaventure; Luis de Rebolledo; Damián de Lugones; wall paintings; emblems; sanctity; wisdom; philosophy; theology; mysticism; Seville;
Summary/Abstract: In 1626–1627 Francisco Herrera the Older, back then Seville’s most renowned painter, decorated the walls of the local Franciscan St. Bonaventure’s church with a number of wall paintings dedicated to Franciscan history and spirituality, complemented with emblems related to theological works of the temple’s patron-saint. The paintings became the basis of an interesting iconographic programme with a strong theological and pedagogical message, due to the presence of young monks educated in the monastery, attributed to two notable Friars Minor: Luis de Rebolledo and Damián de Lugones. The collection, based on the works by St. Bonaventure, presented first and foremost the path to sanctity by acquiring wisdom: from philosophical knowledge through theology to mystic contemplation, in which we learn about and unite with God.
Journal: Folia Historica Cracoviensia
- Issue Year: 22/2016
- Issue No: 1
- Page Range: 579-599
- Page Count: 21
- Language: English