Saint Francis Xavier with a divine light emanating towards him from the upper left, with a crucifix, mitre, and book on a table at left 1622

This print of Saint Francis Xavier was created by an anonymous artist, rendered in ink on laid paper. Here we see Xavier illuminated by divine light, a visual trope that signifies divine favor within the Catholic Church. Note the crucifix and book, symbols of his faith and scholarly dedication. Prints like this one circulated widely across Europe and beyond, especially during the Counter-Reformation. The artist is unknown and the exact date of creation cannot be stated, but such works provided visual reinforcement of Catholic doctrine in response to the rise of Protestantism. Figures like Xavier, known for missionary work, were upheld as examples of piety and devotion. The distribution of this imagery reminds us of the Catholic Church’s institutional power. To truly understand this print, further research would be needed. Looking at the history of printmaking, the role of religious orders, and the cultural context of the Counter-Reformation would give us a better picture of how this image functioned in its own time.