Saint Theresa in Ecstasy, also known as the Ecstasy of Saint Teresa, is an artistic masterpiece that primarily refers to Gian Lorenzo Bernini's marble sculpture depicting Saint Teresa of Ávila. This sculptural representation is considered a magnificent work of Baroque art and is housed in the Cornaro Chapel of the Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria in Rome.
The sculpture portrays Saint Teresa in a state of spiritual rapture or ecstasy, which the artist skillfully captures through his detailed craftsmanship. Saint Teresa, a prominent Spanish mystic and writer of the Counter-Reformation era, is depicted reclining on a cloud-like structure, her body limp yet gracefully contorted, as if floating above the ground.
Bernini masterfully captures the spiritual ecstasy by depicting Teresa with her eyes half-closed, her lips slightly parted, and a serene expression on her face, overwhelming joy emanating from her countenance. Above her head is a heavenly cloud, from which a group of angels peers down, with one aiming an arrow towards her heart, symbolizing the divine love that she experiences during her mystical encounter.
This iconic sculpture symbolizes Saint Teresa's profound spiritual experience as described in her renowned work, "The Interior Castle." It celebrates her intimate connection with God, portraying her in a state of blissful union with the transcendent. The sculpture's exquisite beauty, intense emotional expression, and dynamic composition make it a remarkable example of Baroque art, presenting a vision of the sublime that provokes awe and inspires contemplation.
