Ignatius of Loyola (1491–1556)
![Wierix, Hieronymus (ca. 1553-1619), Porträt des heiligen Ignatius von Loyola, Kupferstich [o.J.]; Bildquelle: www.gallica.fr; Permalink: http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b8400381j.item.f1](http://ieg-ego.eu/illustrationen/jesuitentheater-bilderordner/ignatius-von-loyola-img/@@images/4067a65c-353a-4f9a-badb-f7f193b4a831.jpeg "Ignatius von Loyola IMG")
The Basque nobleman Ignatius of Loyola was the founder of the Society of Jesus, which was recognised as a religious order by a 1540 papal bull. Ignatius became its first superior-general. The Jesuits advanced to a leading element of Catholic reform.
Hieronymus Wierix (ca. 1553–1619), portrait of St. Ignatius of Loyola (1491–1556), copper engraving, [date unknown]; source: www.gallica.bnf.fr; Permalink: http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b8400381j.item.f1.