Xavier School was blessed with the unexpected gift of a 17th century painting on its 55th anniversary. The oil painting, The Madonna and Child in Glory with Saints Ignatius of Loyola and Xavier, is by Italian master Francesco de Rosa of the Baroque era.
While visiting Christie’s in London, Xavier alumnus Joselito D Campos, Jr (’68) chanced upon a collection of Old Masters and 19th Century Art being prepared for auction. A large colourful painting of the Blessed Virgin and the infant Jesus in heaven, flanked by two kneeling figures, caught his attention. Almost instantly, he recognized the two men as St Ignatius of Loyola and St Francis Xavier.
After confirming that the supplicants were in fact the two founders of the Society of Jesus, Mr Campos wasted no time in securing the painting. He knew exactly where it should be – in Manila, in his alma mater, the Jesuit-run Xavier School. With the agreement of his brother, Jeffrey, the painting was purchased and shipped in time for the school’s celebration of St Francis Xavier’s feast day on December 3, 2011.
Upon receiving the donation, Fr Johnny Go SJ, Xavier School President, remarked, “What a priceless gift for the community on our 55th year! The painting will serve to remind us all of what is at the very heart of our mission in education, our Christian faith.”
The Madonna and Child in Glory with Saints Ignatius of Loyola and Xavier is the work of Circle of Giovan Francesco de Rosa, an Italian painter from Naples who was also known as Pacecco de Rosa (1607-1656). He was the son of a painter and is said to have studied under his stepfather Filippo Vitale and Massimo Stanzione. His first documented commission is the St Nicholas of Bari painting in the Museum of the Certosa di San Martino, Naples, which dates back to 1636.
He achieved much success during his prime and ran a prolific workshop, which received many commissions of religious and secular art from various orders and noble families. The painting donated to Xavier School may be traced to this period. The composition of the painting was a popular template of Spanish and Italian religious paintings of the period, which signifies that this is more than likely a commissioned work. Francesco de Rosa died in Naples in 1656, possibly from the plague that swept through the city at the time. His works can be seen in various churches in Naples and museums in cities such as Prague, Vienna, and Philadelphia.
The painting is displayed prominently in the main assembly hall of Xavier School in the Angelo King Multi-Purpose Center. It was unveiled before an audience of Jesuit guests led by the Philippine Provincial Superior, Fr Jose Magadia SJ. The image was used in the commemorative stampita distributed to the Xavier community to celebrate the feast of St Francis Xavier. It includes the exhortation: “May we have the burning zeal to bring everyone closer to the Lord! Luceat Lux!”
Photo: The Madonna and Child in Glory with Saints Ignatius of Loyola and Xavier
oil on canvas, 63 3/8 x 48¼ in. (161 x 123 cm.) Donated to Xavier School in November 2011 by Joselito D Campos, Jr (’68) and Jeffrey D. Campos (’71).