The Basilica of Santa Maria della Vittoria is located just across the street from the Moses Fountain in Rome, Italy. The basilica is home to several notable sculptures.
The jewel of this basilica is Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s sculpture of The Ecstasy of St. Theresa. This sculpture, created in 1647-1652, depicts a vision of St. Theresa of Avila in which an angel pierced her heart and, in doing so, filled her with the love of God.
Another notable sculpture is Alfonso Balzico’s 19th century work, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Giving the Scapular to St. Simon Stock.
A third sculpture is Domenico Guidi’s The Dream of St. Joseph. Under the altar where this work is displayed is a simulacrum or likeness of St. Vittoria, Roman virgin and martyr, after whom the basilica is named.
In the Cornaro Chapel where the Ecstasy of St. Theresa is located, there are two marble inlays in the floor, skeletons representing the hope and despair of the souls in purgatory.
The Ecstasy of St. Theresa
SOURCE: The Ecstasy of St. Theresa (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 12 August 2011.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Giving the Scapular to St. Simon Stock
SOURCE: Our Lady of Mount Carmel Giving the Scapular to St. Simon Stock (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 12 August 2011.
The Dream of St. Joseph
SOURCE: The Dream of St. Joseph (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 12 August 2011.
Saint Vittoria, Virgin and Martyr
SOURCE: Saint Vittoria, Virgin and Martyr (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 12 August 2011.
Hope
SOURCE: Hope (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 12 August 2011.
Despair
SOURCE: Despair (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 12 August 2011.
Copyright © 2011 by Stephen J. Danko
