The Conversion of Saint Ignatius Loyola

Series of paintings depicting the life of the saints were a recurrent part of the art of New Spain, where many artists strove to immortalize these men and women who had devoted themselves to God. One of the saints about whom painters were most often commissioned to produce works was Saint Ignatius Loyola, due to the predominance of the Jesuit Order, with which Cabrera maintained close links. This painting depicts the reclusion and convalescence of Ignatius, after he was wounded and captured while fighting against the French in the Battle of Pamplona in 1521. During this period, when he was in pain and close to death, he was vouchsafed a vision of the Virgin Mary, who appeared to comfort him holding the Christ child, lighting up his dark room, an event which transformed his life and brought him into contact with God. Though the sick man is lying back on two pillows with a worn-out look on his face, his countenance and clasped hands seem to be expressing gratitude for the divine visit. On the right, two men in loose breeches are witnessing the scene, while, on the threshold, a couple with a baby are also watching the events. This work has hung in the Casa Profesa (the seat of the Jesuit Order in México), the Church of Saint Ignatius, The National Viceregal Museum, and the San Diego Viceregal Painting Gallery. It entered the MUNAL as part of the latter's founding endowment in 1982.