St Dominic

Józef Bałzukiewicz (1866–1915), a member of a Vilnius family of artists and the son of Wincent Bałzukiewicz, painted a picture of St Dominic (1170–1221), the founder of the Dominican Order. In the picture, the saint is dressed in a white Dominican habit and a black robe, with a lily in one hand to symbolise chastity, and a Rosary in the other. The Dominicans promoted the Rosary, and were patrons of the Confraternity of the Rosary, which is why it is a frequent attribute in images of Dominicans. A star shines over the saint’s head, which according to a story appeared at his baptism. St Dominic is often called the Light of the Church, and was credited with strengthening the Church: members of the order are famous for their erudition and their university education, represented by an open book. A watchful dog with a torch in its mouth and a globe are insignia of the Dominican Order, arising from the hagiography of the saint. Dominic’s mother dreamt that she would give birth to a dog which would hold a torch in its mouth and ‘burn the world’. The insignia symbolises the mission of the order: to spread the flame of the word of God around the world.

Text author Dalia Vasiliūnienė

Józef Bałzukiewicz (1866–1915), a member of a Vilnius family of