The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa Work Description

I first saw this art piece on a virtual internet tour. Different researchers have sought to
analyze the works and offer meaning that any reader can relate to. Something unique about this
artwork is that its features represent the intensity of Teresa’s experience of religious ecstasy.
Bernini, the artist, portrays her swooning in a near-erotic rapture, with both her visible limbs
hanging and her eyes closed but mouth open. Besides, the fabric’s texture differs from the purity
depicted in her face. There is also a childlike angel lovingly looking at her, ready to stub her with
his spear of divine love (Bowden, 2021). These features represent Teresa’s religious ecstasy as
described in her autobiography and eventual bridal mysticism.
Purpose of the Work

Bernini’s primary objective in creating this work was to convey the Catholic faith’s
spiritual aspect, which I believe he achieved successfully. The works were created in the
Baroque period, characterized by intense religiosity. Bernini employs imagery to convey the
tangible nature of Teresa’s experience, portraying her love of God and the desire for a spiritual
reunion with God (Senice, 2018).

Impact of the Creative Expression

The artist did what any Baroque artist would: inspire faith and involve the viewer. The
physical embodiment of a Godly love justifies the overindulgence associated with Catholicism
for an average man. The artwork invites any viewer to feel spiritually alongside Teresa while
invoking a sense of passion and the experience of the Great Love of God (Senice, 2018). Just as
the Great love of God utterly consumes Teresa, so are the onlookers.

Questions

3

After thinking deeply about this artistic work, a few questions arise regarding the
relationship between culture and expression. One of the questions is why the artist chooses to use
Saint Teresa and the purpose of the witnesses in the artwork. The other question is whether
Teresa is experiencing an intense state of divine joy or physical orgasm as represented in the
sculptor.

How to Answer the Questions

Studying different materials would help in answering the above questions. One of the
materials is Saint Teresa’s autobiography, from which the works of art are based. Besides, the
materials will provide information on the Theatre boxes at the sides representing the patron and
his family acting as witnesses and interacting with real life. The other reading material will focus
on the critics of the works who are split about whether Teresa is experiencing an intense state of
divine hoy or physical orgasm. Teresa’s autobiography accounts for her encounter with an angel
who stubbed her several times until the spear penetrated, inflicting spiritual pain on her.
Therefore, Bernini’s attempt to represent the spiritual pleasure in serving Christ should not be
confused with the sexual symbolism (Senice, 2018). The spiritual pain impacts the underlying
sexual symbolism as Teresa appears to be having a bodily orgasm. The concept shapes
individual values by showing that the artist can use the same culture and symbolism to create a
different but valid expression.

Need to Express

Humans need to express themselves through created works of historical and cultural
significance. Since the beginning of time, people have possessed different talents and creativity,
and the need to express this is intensified by emotions that words cannot express. Other artists
show the values of a given culture and religion as a way of passing knowledge and traditions. At

4

the same time, some express themselves through creative arts, leaving people in wonder and
marvel. Bernini successfully achieved his purpose of creating the sculpture that portrayed intense
religiosity, which dominated the Baroque period (Bowden, 2021). The works also convey the
nature of Catholicism faith and the tangible nature of the desire to have a reunion with God.
Besides, the work was consistent with the Catholic Counter-Reformation art campaign, which
portrayed the mysteries of Catholicism.

How the Culture Impacts the Act of Human Creative Expression
Human creative expression impacts the culture it was created, mainly because it is true to
the events surrounding it and that specific period. Taking a close look at the different periods of
artwork, from the early classical period to contemporary art, the struggles of each period guided
the creative artists of that time (Basevich, 2020). For instance, the ecstasy of Saint Teresa was
created during the Baroque period, characterized by intense religiosity, which formed the basis
of Bernini’s inspiration.
Impact of Human Creative Impression on How People Deal with Issues Today
Human creative expression impacts the issues people deal with daily. The study of
Teresa’s experience provides a new perspective on their life and the nature of life itself. Besides,
it conveys the nature of the Catholic faith and the need to get closer to the love of God.
Mysticism also allows people to exercise their spiritual lifestyle beyond the scope of modern
lifestyles. St. Teresa addresses the “nature” of an individual’s ability to know the ultimate
“nature” of the spiritual and physical world. Pursuing spiritual knowledge involves searching for
symbols that help identify a timeless quest in a secular culture characterized by misguided efforts
and desperation for answers, especially for those who fail to relate their daily experiences with
faith (Basevich, 2020).

5

References

Basevich, E. (2020). God comes to her: St. Teresa of í vila, Simone Weil, and the Kantian
conception of modern religious experience. Cosmos and History: The Journal of Natural
and Social Philosophy, 16(1), 325-346.
Bowden, A. L. (2021). The saint behind the sculpture:(Re) Interpreting Saint Teresa’s Ecstasy
through a feminist analysis of Bernini’s The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa. Literature &
Aesthetics, 31(1).
Senise, L. (2018). Manifesting the sacred: the ‘Ecstasy of St. Teresa,’ the ‘Call of St. Matthew’
and the ‘Conversion of St. Paul’ characterized in printed tourist guides. Church,
Communication and Culture, 3(3), 412-418.