17th century European school

European school of the 17th century. After the workshop of PETER PAUL RUBENS (Siegen, Germany, 1577 - Antwerp, Belgium, 1640).
"Portrait of Domingo Ruzzola".
Oil on canvas.
Measurements: 97 x 82 cm.
The work presented here is directly inspired by the portrait of the Carmelite Dominic Ruzzola (1559-1630) painted by the workshop of Rubens around 1621. The canvas, now in the Museum of Art and History in Geneva, shows the Carmelite Ruzzola in habit, half-length, slightly turned to one side but turning his face towards the viewer, to whom he is not looking directly. In fact, the painter has captured an abstracted expression, meditative perhaps, in keeping with the character of the saint himself. As the only attribute, a gilded crucifix skillfully worked in foreshortened position, held in front with both hands.
Rubens put his painting at the service of Catholicism, presenting religious themes in a triumphal, almost warlike manner, in accordance with the Counter-Reformation sentiment.
Domingo de Jésus María (1559-1630) was a discalced Carmelite born in Calatayud who developed his religious life in Spain, Rome and Vienna. Ruzzola held important positions within the Order and is famous for his participation in the Thirty Years' War, as well as for the foundation of the Order's monastery in Ghent. A process of canonization is currently underway to elevate him to sainthood.