St Francis Xavier baptising the Indians 1710 - 1780

Francesco La Marra created this drawing, "St Francis Xavier baptising the Indians", likely in the mid-18th century. Its monochrome palette emphasizes form and structure. We see a composition dominated by the figure of St. Francis Xavier, elevated on a platform. The artist's deliberate arrangement of figures and symbols creates a narrative structure. Xavier's outstretched hand holds a vessel, juxtaposed with the kneeling "Indians" and hovering dove. Here, the formal elements serve to articulate a complex interplay of power, faith, and cultural encounter. Light and shadow define forms, but also carry symbolic weight. The haloed figure is bright, casting darkness on the figures below. Note how La Marra destabilizes conventional representations through the use of linear perspective. It challenges viewers to critically examine the represented scene. "St Francis Xavier baptising the Indians" becomes a site of inquiry, inviting reflection on the visual strategies that shape cultural understanding.