...... heading toward, Il Gesu, the Church of the Gesù, the mother church of the Jesuits (Society of Jesus).
It's Baroque façade is familiar, because it has influenced the look of Jesuit churches around the world.
Rome, July 2019
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The official name of the Church of the Gesù is Chiesa del Santissimo Nome di Gesù all'Argentina (Church of the Most Holy Name of Jesus at the "Argentina").
'Il Gesù' is the mother church of the Society of Jesus and was the first Jesuit church built in Rome; between 1568 and 1584. The facade was designed by Giacomo della Porta and completed in 1575.
It was extensively renovated during the 17th Century and its front façade is considered by many to be one of the best examples of Baroque architecture.
There are two statues on the façade, both are key founders of the Jesuit Order. On the left is St Ignatius of Loyola and on the right St Francis Xavier.
Rome, July 2019
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Over the main entrance door, under the embracing wings of an angel, is the emblem of the Society of Jesus, ie. the Jesuits.
At centre is the Christogram IHS; the first three letters of Jesus in Greek, ΙΗΣΟΥΣ: ΙΗΣ or iota eta sigma. Below are three nails.
Below, on each top corner of the entrance door are two coat of arms. On the right is that of the current Pope, Pope Francis. He is the first pope from the Society of Jesus (ie. the Jesuit Order). In addition to IHS, the two other symbols within the shield are a Star, a symbol of the Virgin Mary, and a Spikenard, a symbol of St Joseph. Around the shield are the traditional symbols of the papacy.
The crest on the left is that of the City of Rome.
Rome, July 2019
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View of the interior/central nave at the Church of the Gesù, officially named Chiesa del Santissimo Nome di Gesù all'Argentina. Note how the church has no side aisles, the space where they would have been has been used for chapels on both sides.
The church when consecrated in 1584 had a simple and rather austere interior. It was in the 17th Century that the interior was redesigned in the grand Baroque style. It is a dramatic change from the spirit of simplicity espoused by St Ignatius. At the time, the Jesuits thought grandeur and theatricality was needed to draw and keep the attention of followers.
Above is perhaps the dominant feature of the church, the spectacular ceiling fresco "The Triumph of the Name of Jesus" by Giovanni Battista Gaulli, usually known as Baciccio.
The pulpit (on the left) dates to the original construction (1568-1584). It is attributed to Jacopo Barozzi da Vignola and Giacomo della Porta.
Rome, July 2019
[ Panorama Stitched from 3 Images ]
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The fresco 'Vision of Heaven' is by Baciccio (Giovanni Battista Gaulli) on the ceiling of the Dome at the Church of the Gesù.
Baciccio has depicted the figures in Heaven in a sea of clouds.
At the centre, the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove descends from the bright light from the Dome's lantern. Jesus, in front of the cross at lower left, and God at centre complete the Holy Trinity. The painting was done between 1672 - 1675 and has deteriorated.
The frescoes in the pendentives (at the four corners), also by Baciccio, are in much better condition. On them are: the Four Evangelists, the Four Doctors of the Church, the Leaders of Israel, and the Prophets of Israel.
The Prophets, including Moses holding the tablet with the Ten Commandments, can be seen in the left pendentive here. I believe the four Evangelists are on the pendentive at bottom right here; there is a figure (St Mark ?) with his hand on a lion.
Rome; July 2019
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