Focus on Miracles of St. Francis Xavier (Rubens) and discuss the History.
A contract was created between Rubens and Jacobus Tirinus, the head of the Antwerp Jesuits in 1620. The contract stated that Rubens must create at least thirty-nine ceiling paintings and two large paintings for the church, in which he will be rewarded with ten thousand florins. The two large paintings would then be displayed in rotation. This painting and The Miracles of St. Ignatius of Loyola became the two altarpieces for the church. By the time the contract was signed, the two altarpieces were already completed. This altarpiece was completed before St. Francis Xavier became a saint in 1622.This painting, along with The Miracles of St. Ignatius of Loyola, were purchased by the Austrian Empress Maria Theresa after a fire caused the St. Charles Borromeo Church to close in 1773. They are currently in the Kunsthistorisches Museum located in Vienna.
Francis Xavier Maria Theresa St. Charles Borromeo Church St. Ignatius of Loyola Antwerp Ignatius of Loyola Kunsthistorisches Museum Austria Jacobus Tirinus St. Francis Xavier Jesuits Vienna altarpiece