Allegories of Light and Fire: Ignatian Effigies Painted on Copper

Abstract This article examines two small portraits of Ignatius Loyola painted on copper between 1598 and 1622. Rather than focusing the true likeness founder Jesuits, it sheds light neglected early history Ignatius- ignis pun, according to which his name is juxtaposed with Latin word for fire. For this purpose, connects growing interest in materiality art. In contrast traditional supports, use generates extraordinarily brilliant pictorial effects. “magical” production plays, I argue, a crucial role representing both Pedro Ribadeneyra’s account Ignatius’s fiery physiology Filippo Neri’s report concerning supernatural splendor. However, presence no metaphor divine but closely related contemporary physics metaphysics light. With Francesco Patrizi da Cherso mind, can be construed as allegories