Kneeling Carmelite Nun- Saint Teresa of Avila (-) c. 17th century

Jean Baptiste de Champaigne rendered this drawing, "Kneeling Carmelite Nun - Saint Teresa of Avila," in the 17th century, using pen and brown ink with brown wash on paper. Champaigne's depiction of Saint Teresa invites us to consider the historical context of women in religious life. Teresa of Ávila, a prominent figure of the Counter-Reformation, reformed the Carmelite Order, advocating for a return to a simpler, more austere way of life. In this devotional image, Saint Teresa kneels, her gaze directed heavenward, embodying piety and spiritual devotion. Her action and habit become a performance, a visual representation of religious identity and conviction. The Carmelites broke with traditional representations. Teresa herself challenged gender norms by asserting her authority in religious matters. Champaigne's drawing captures a moment of intimate connection with the divine, reflecting both the personal and the political dimensions of religious experience in a time of great social and religious upheaval.