The Vocation of Saint Aloysius (Luigi) Gonzaga
This altarpiece was commissioned in 1650 for the church of Santa Maria del Castello in Guastalla, northwest of Bologna, by Duke Ferrante III Gonzaga (1618–1678). It celebrates Luigi Gonzaga (1568–1591), who had resigned his inherited title and joined the Jesuit order, serving the poor until he died of the plague. He was beatified in 1621 and canonized in 1726. Guercino depicts an angel holding a wreath over the saint’s head that replaces the aristocratic crown, which has pointedly been cast aside next to lilies that represent chastity.
Artwork Details
- Title: The Vocation of Saint Aloysius (Luigi) Gonzaga
- Artist: Guercino (Giovanni Francesco Barbieri) (Italian, Cento 1591–1666 Bologna)
- Date: ca. 1650
- Medium: Oil on canvas
- Dimensions: 140 x 106 in. (355.6 x 269.2 cm)
- Classification: Paintings
- Credit Line: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wrightsman, 1973
- Object Number: 1973.311.3
- Curatorial Department: European Paintings
More Artwork
Related Content
Timeline of Art History
Entries from The Met's art encyclopedia.
Publications
Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.
Free to download
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.