Saint Louis
Oil on
cradled canvas
4’ x 4’
October
30 – November 24, 2018.
This
portrait of Saint Louis (pronounced by Father Richard as "LEW-iss" rather than "LEW-ee", as I habitually pronounce the name) features a youth gazing on a cross of pine twigs. In
the background are pieces of fabric made of hand-woven Igorot cloth. Instead of
the white Easter lilies traditionally associated with Aloysius Gonzaga is a
garland of everlasting flowers. The surplice also bears a strawberry design.
The
spears behind the youth represent the four, Saint Louis educational
institutions owned and operated by CICM: Saint Louis University in Baguio, University
of Saint Louis in Tuguegarao, Saint Louis College in La Union, and Saint Louis
College in Cebu.
In this
rendition, the youth are called to give up their warrior’s loincloths and
contemplate the cross, at the same time being true to their ethnicity.
I am told that Dr. Agnes Brazal, my former professor in Systematic Theology, conducted research on the matter of "Saint Louis" (a Jesuit saint, not a CICM saint) and concluded that the saint in question is actually Saint Louise de Marillac. Other than that Saint Louise was French, however, I could find no further connection between her and the congregation.
This was all I listened to while making the painting:
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