Apotheosis of Saint Francis Xavier n.d.

Carlo Maratti created this pen and brown ink drawing, Apotheosis of Saint Francis Xavier, in the 17th or 18th century. At this time, the Catholic Church was a major force in Europe, commissioning art to inspire faith. Maratti’s sketch depicts Saint Francis Xavier ascending to heaven amidst clouds and angels. Xavier was a Jesuit missionary who traveled to Asia in the 16th century, spreading Christianity. Canonized in 1622, he became a symbol of the Church's global reach. But, who gets remembered as a saint? Apotheosis traditionally depicts male subjects. Consider the women whose stories are less often told, and who don’t receive the same recognition. This work prompts us to think about power, representation, and the stories we tell about who matters in history. Think about the narratives that shape our understanding of ourselves, of faith, and of one another.