"The
altar is considered a masterpiece of Brother Andrea Pozzo, S.J.
(1642-1709) who succeeded in giving a visual expression to the
basic elements of the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius. The
Trinity, the Incarnation, the monogram of the name of Jesus, the
mission of the Society and many other elements of Ignatian spirituality
are represented. Presiding over Br. Pozzo's symbolic creation
is the statue of the Saint, originally cast in silver. The statue
was lost during the French Revolution and replaced in 1798 by
an imitation with stucco head, hands and legs within the original
chasuble."
- Jesuit Press and Information Office, Rome |
|
"According
with the artistic tendencies of the time, Pozzo conceived the
altar as a dramatic presentation composed of various scenes. Following
the taste of the day, he created a piece of cloth which usually
concealed the statue
of Saint Ignatius. On given occasions, by means of a clever mechanism,
the cloth would slide down and the statue would appear in all
its splendour. This piece of cloth has great artistic value. The
passing of time and the humidity of Rome caused the cloth to deteriorate;
but now it has been restored."
- Jesuit Press and Information Office,
Rome |
|
