Andrea Pozzo Self-researched
Born: 1642, Trento Died: 1709, Vienna Source: self-research
Italian Jesuit brother, Baroque painter, architect, decorator, stage designer, and art theoretician. He was an unrivalled master of perspective and quadratura, using light, color, and architectural illusion to create breathtaking effects. His masterwork at Sant'Ignazio set the standard for Late Baroque ceiling frescoes throughout Catholic Europe. He also authored an influential treatise on perspective, Perspectiva Pictorum et Architectorum.
Artworks
Trompe-l'œil Dome Self-researched
A flat circular canvas painted to create the illusion of a cupola, since the planned dome was never built due to disputes with the Ludovisi donors. Using masterful perspective, Pozzo created the appearance of a coffered dome when viewed from the correct vantage point in the nave. The original was destroyed by fire and faithfully reproduced in 1823.
Apse and Presbytery Frescoes Self-researched
The frescoes illustrate key moments from Saint Ignatius's life and the founding of the Society of Jesus, including the siege of Pamplona, service to plague victims, Francis Borgia's entry into the order, Francis Xavier's mission to the Indies, and the famous La Storta vision where Christ appeared to Ignatius.
Glorification of Saint Ignatius Self-researched
A masterpiece of Baroque illusionism covering over 40 meters of the nave ceiling. The fresco depicts the apotheosis of St. Ignatius, with light emanating from God the Father to the Son, then to St. Ignatius, breaking into four rays leading to allegorical representations of the four continents. The quadratura technique creates the illusion of three-dimensional architecture extending infinitely into the heavens, visible from a marked spot on the nave floor.