Nothing Other Than Thomas

The Cusco School of painting is characterized by the application of bright colours, vibrant design and plurality of ornament. To portray the Prince of Scholasticism, the method was no different: the panel is full of allegories, the meaning of which requires careful analysis. Moreover, the Latin inscriptions are truncated. Such characteristics, however, rather than presenting a difficulty, are only a stimulus to scrutinize the work of art more attentively.

In this scene, St. Thomas Aquinas, in imitation of the Virgin Mary, has the moon under his feet, on which we read: “The fool changes like the moon” (Sir 27:11), whereas the wise are, like him, “clothed with the sun” (cf. Rv 12:1), according to the inscription on his belt.

Still in emulation of Our Lady, the Saint fights a hydra, the symbol of heresy. The hand that grasps the moon is that of Martin Bucer, Lutheran and former Dominican, who is said to have uttered the words partially inscribed there: “Take away Thomas [and I will destroy the Church].” In that clash, we well know who triumphed…

In face of heterodoxy, the Holy Doctor remains serene, in accordance with his nickname of “dumb ox” depicted in the lower left-hand corner. His teacher, St. Albert the Great, declared: “We call him the ‘dumb ox’, but he will make such a roar with his doctrine that it will resound throughout the world.”¹ And so it happened… That is why he was also called the Common Doctor.

On the opposite side appears a unicorn, associated by mythology with purity. Now, this virtue was the one most frequently attributed to Aquinas in the testimonies of his canonization process. This fact is due to his victory over lust when his own family, displeased with his religious vocation, threw him into private prison with a harlot to tempt him. The young Thomas repelled her with a burning firebrand, and was thus rewarded with a cincture of chastity, brought from Heaven by a pair of Angels, like those represented on the left.

In reference to this episode, he was granted the title of Angelic Doctor in the 15^th century. He is accordingly represented here with angel wings and laurels of honour above his head, as well as a doctoral biretta and academic tassels in blue and red, colours of the Chairs of Philosophy and Theology, respectively.

The fountains and the surrounding gardens are emblems of knowledge and wisdom in the university: they should flow like water and flourish beyond its walls. Hence the Master of the Schools is thus invoked as: “my joy and my crown” (cf. Phil 4:1).

Below the Angels we read that they strengthened him with their “diligence”, while on the other side are St. Peter and St. Paul, gracing him with their “favour”. On one occasion, after imploring divine help in interpreting the complex passages of the Prophet Isaiah, St. Thomas obtained the wise assistance of these pillars of the Church. Afterwards, he took them as intercessors for the writing of his works, such as the Catena Aurea – Latin for “golden chain” – allegorically represented as resting on his shoulders.

The Saint’s placidity was no hindrance to his fighting evil. His pen is like the sevenfold arrow of the Paraclete, who directly inspires him at his ear. His writings were nourished by an intense life of prayer – the rosary hanging from his belt stands out – and by a deep devotion to the Eucharist – embodied by the monstrance at his chest – of which he was the poet par excellence.

Aquinas’ gaze is fixed on the Church, supported here by the Summa Theologica, on whose fore-edge we read the famous verdict of John XXII at his canonization: “He wrote as many articles as he performed miracles.”

From the cross emanate the words spoken by Jesus to the Angelic Doctor three months before his death: “You have written well of Me, Thomas.” The imaginative Cusqueña painter also depicts the following words issuing from the lips of the Holy Doctor: “I would not have written well of the Son if I had written badly of the Mother.”

In reality, Aquinas had a mystical rapture that made him long for Heaven and to cast all his works into the fire, for they seemed like straw to him after what he had seen… Fortunately, a secretary managed to save them!

After this eulogy, Our Lord had asked him: “What would you receive from Me as a reward for your labours? To which the Saint replied, “Nothing other than You, Lord.”²

After contemplating the manifold qualities of the Angelic Doctor on this canvas, we could reply to Jesus in an analogous manner: “What more do you want from Thomas?” Christ’s reply could well be: “Nothing other than Thomas!” ◊

Notes

¹ WILLIAM DE TOCCO. Ystoria Sancti Thome de Aquino, c.13. Toronto: PIMS, 1996, p.118.

² Idem, c.34, p.162.