It's in the eyes- Artwork of St. Teresa of Avila

In accordance with our study of the Counter Reformation, I will look at another figure of the period – St. Teresa of Avila – through the lens of two different works of art. Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) is best known for her mysticism, writings, and leadership in the Carmelite order in Spain.  During her lifetime, she remained persistent in the growth of a reform-minded Carmelite order, as well as wrote works such as Way of Perfection and her Autobiography (Zophy 261-262). I desired to compare two works focused on St. Teresa of Avila in order to demonstrate both her own legacy and that of the Counter Reformation.

The first work is Bernini’s infamous sculpture, The Ecstasy of St. Teresa. Sculpted in the years 1647-1652, the work stands as a testimony to Teresa of Avila’s distinct mysticism, as it depicts her in the midst of a religious vision. As the viewer can see, the sculpture retains all the drama of the Baroque period whilst rendering the saint as overwhelmingly beholden to her spiritual vision. Moreover, the facial expressions of both Teresa and the other figure evoke emotion and vivid experience. The multiple folds of Teresa’s garb add further spectacle to the scene. In comparison, the second work, Baron Francois Gerard’s St. Teresa, is altogether different, but this naturally stems from its later time frame (early 19^th century) and thus, Romantic style. The portrait simply gives a modest Teresa, with eyes that angled upward convey a subtle link to mysticism, but moreover, convey a blend of piety and mystery. Gerard gives an ideal Teresa, quiet but impactful in beauty and mystery, a spiritual figure from a faraway, lost place (hence approximately two centuries in separation between the portrait and her death).  Bernini equally moves away from reality, but in a way that still seems evocative of the mysticism central to St. Teresa’s character and even the criticism she faced. The works are in truth mostly contrasting depictions of St. Teresa, but they both persist in demonstrating the historical impact of reformers from the period, who tend to appear as stabilizers not defectors after their lifetimes.

Sources:

http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/bern/hd_bern.htm

http://www.wga.hu/html_m/g/gerard/7theresa.html

Images:

http://www.artble.com/imgs/d/a/5/431705/the_ecstasy_of_saint_theresa.jpg

https://fraangelicoinstitute.com/2012/10/15/st-teresa-of-avila-on-love/teresa_avila_gerard/