Who painted Vision of St. Teresa of Avila?

Vision of St. Teresa of Avila was painted by Sebastiano Ricci in 1727.

Where can I see Vision of St. Teresa of Avila?

Vision of St. Teresa of Avila is held by Kunsthistorisches Museum.

What movement is Vision of St. Teresa of Avila?

Vision of St. Teresa of Avila is associated with Rococo painting.

Artwork

Vision of St. Teresa of Avila

Sebastiano Ricci , 1727

Vision of St. Teresa of Avila is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Sebastiano Ricci. It dates from 1727 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.

About this work

Overview

Sebastiano Ricci’s *Vision of St. Teresa of Avila* (1727) is an oil painting that exemplifies the late Baroque transition toward Rococo sensibilities. Executed in the artist’s characteristic luminous manner, the work is part of the Kunsthistorisches Museum’s collection in Vienna.

Subject & Meaning

The composition portrays a female figure, identified as Saint Teresa, enveloped in a tranquil, devotional atmosphere. She is shown in a brown habit with a white veil, eyes closed and expression serene, as a group of angels and cherubs lift her upward, suggesting a mystical ascent.

Technique & Style

Ricci employs a bright palette and fluid brushwork that create a sense of movement in the angels’ billowing drapery and expansive wings. The use of atmospheric perspective, evident in the distant columns and cloud‑filled sky, adds depth and a soft, airy quality typical of the Rococo.

History & Provenance

Painted in the final year of Ricci’s life, the canvas entered the holdings of the Kunsthistorisches Museum, where it remains on display. The work reflects the artist’s mature period, during which he was celebrated for his vigorous, Cortonesque approach.

Context

Created at a time when Italian art was shifting from the dramatic intensity of the Baroque toward the lighter, decorative Rococo, the painting illustrates Ricci’s role in that stylistic evolution. It also connects to his familial legacy, as he mentored his nephew Marco Ricci, who later gained prominence in landscape painting.