Ignác Viktorin Raab (1715-1787)

ST. JAN SARKANDER IN THE CELL

Oil on canvas, 55x80 cm. Unframed. The figure of a saint in priestly vestments seated with clasped hands in shackles adoring the crucified Christ. The dramatic atmosphere is emphasized by the light from a burning oil lamp, whose reflections highlight the contours of Christ`s body and the shackles. The unmistakable handwriting, the typography of the face, and the choice of subject refer to the authorship of Ignatius Victorinus Raab. Jan Sarkander was martyred in March 1620. In the 18th century his martyr cult was widely venerated and the figure was portrayed in 1714 by Jan Brokoff at the request of Count František Helfrýd Voračický. A canonization was contemplated at the time, but it did not happen. On September 15 1859, Pope Bl. Pius IX beatified him, and on 21 May 1995 he was canonized by Pope St. John Paul II in Olomouc at the same time as Zdislava of Lemberg.