Teresa of Ávila

This 1647 depiction of Saint Teresa of Ávila for Seville Cathedral honors the great Spanish mystic who had been canonized in 1622. Teresa's writings on contemplative prayer deeply influenced Counter-Reformation spirituality, and her image was ubiquitous in Spanish churches by mid-century. Zurbarán's austere, powerfully meditative style—white-robed monks in intense chiaroscuro, saints presented against dark backgrounds with sculptural solidity—made him the ideal painter for the Counter-Reformation religious orders of Extremadura and Seville.

The saint is shown in her Carmelite habit with her pen and book, attributes identifying her as a Doctor of the Church. Zurbarán's modeling of the brown and white Carmelite habit demonstrates his mastery of monochrome fabric painting.