Triumph in the Name of Jesus
Dublin Core
Title
Triumph in the Name of Jesus
Description
Triumph in the Name of Jesus is the most well-known of Giovanni Battista Gaulli’s frescoes decorating Il Gesù in Rome. Gaulli, commonly known as Baciccio, was mentored by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, an outstanding figure in the Italian art world. He received the commission for Il Gesù’s ceiling frescoes through his connection to Bernini, who directed him towards the commission competition and recommended him to the Jesuit order. Gaulli caters to the order’s interests; the fresco is built on Jesuit symbolism and direct spiritual appeal. The central Jesuit monogram radiates light onto the surrounding angels and holy beings as they look up towards it in awe. As the virtuous marvel among the clouds, the damned souls tumble as if falling towards the viewer. Around the stucco frame of the main fresco, stucco sculptures of angels interact with frescoed portions of the ceiling and blur the line between the two-dimensional and three-dimensional elements of the work.
Gaulli’s work in this fresco builds on the innovations in perspective and illusion explored by Pietro da Cortona while incorporating the painting skills he learned from Bernini. The painting opens the ceiling to the sky, and Gaulli uses the di sotto in sù effect to lend a certain physicality to the image of heaven. The dramatic shrink in the size of the figures suggests a perceivable distance between heavenly and earthly planes; this inspires an emotional response to the immediacy of heaven, supplementing Jesuit belief in missionary work and active religious participation. Gaulli adds to his three-dimensional illusion by adding dark glazed areas on the vault where the painted clouds and figures would theoretically cast shadows as they obstruct the blazing light. The contrast of lighter and darker sections of the overall image as a compositional method highlights the Baroque painting style that was well-established by that time.
Gaulli’s work in this fresco builds on the innovations in perspective and illusion explored by Pietro da Cortona while incorporating the painting skills he learned from Bernini. The painting opens the ceiling to the sky, and Gaulli uses the di sotto in sù effect to lend a certain physicality to the image of heaven. The dramatic shrink in the size of the figures suggests a perceivable distance between heavenly and earthly planes; this inspires an emotional response to the immediacy of heaven, supplementing Jesuit belief in missionary work and active religious participation. Gaulli adds to his three-dimensional illusion by adding dark glazed areas on the vault where the painted clouds and figures would theoretically cast shadows as they obstruct the blazing light. The contrast of lighter and darker sections of the overall image as a compositional method highlights the Baroque painting style that was well-established by that time.
Creator
Giovanni Battista Gaulli (Baciccia) (1639-1709)
Source
Enggass, Robert. “Bernini, Gaulli, and the Frescoes of the Gesù.” The Art Bulletin 39, no. 4 (1957): 303–5. https://doi.org/10.2307/3047734.
This source explores the fresco work of Giovanni Battista Gaulli, commonly known as Baciccio, in the decoration of the Gesù cathedral in Rome. An introductory biography of Baciccio provides his background as a pupil of Gian Lorenzo Bernini, and the following material gives an overview of his various works within the cathedral, particularly his ceiling frescoes. The well-known Triumph in the Name of Jesus fresco is discussed in terms of both its technical and emotional prowess.
This source explores the fresco work of Giovanni Battista Gaulli, commonly known as Baciccio, in the decoration of the Gesù cathedral in Rome. An introductory biography of Baciccio provides his background as a pupil of Gian Lorenzo Bernini, and the following material gives an overview of his various works within the cathedral, particularly his ceiling frescoes. The well-known Triumph in the Name of Jesus fresco is discussed in terms of both its technical and emotional prowess.
Publisher
Gaulli, Giovanni-Battista, 1639-1709. 1676-79. Triumph in the Name of Jesus. https://library.artstor.org/asset/ARTSTOR_103_41822000819514.
Date
1676-79
Contributor
Eliza Henne
Rights
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Format
Stucco/Fresco
Type
Ceiling fresco
Coverage
Il Gesù, Rome, Italy
Files
Collection
Citation
Giovanni Battista Gaulli (Baciccia) (1639-1709), “Triumph in the Name of Jesus,” ARTHIST 256 - Italian Baroque Art - Fall 2021, accessed October 22, 2026, https://www.baroque.dahvc.org/fall-2021/items/show/266.