Images Of Sanctity: The Dissemination of the Iconography and Devotion of Saint Diego of Alcalá

Abstract

The printing and circulation of devotional prints played a fundamental role in the practice of Catholic faith. This article examines the iconographic and devotional dissemination of Saint Diego of Alcalá through a representative selection of prints produced between the 17th and 20th centuries. It analyzes the visual representations of the saint, their stylistic and symbolic evolution, and the geographical and cultural contexts in which these images circulated. Through the study of engravings, woodcuts, and lithographs, the article explores how the figure of the Franciscan friar was reinterpreted in relation to local devotional practices, missionary needs, and editorial purposes. Special attention is given to the role of the Canary Islands as an iconic setting in Diegan iconography, reinforcing their symbolic connection between Europe and the Americas. Using an iconographic and art historical approach, the main objective is to highlight the role of these modest visual supports as effective instruments of sanctification and collective memory, while also revealing the richness and diversity of popular repertoires associated with the cult of Saint Diego in transnational contexts.