The iconography of this picture is unusual, the saint being shown with no halo and being invited by the Holy Family to sit next to them. Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) was beatified by Paul V on 24 April 1614 and canonized eight years later. It seems probable that the iconography relates to her beatification in 1614 and the desire expressed by many contemporary sources that canonization should follow swiftly. A dating around 1615 is also likely on stylistic grounds, the present picture still reflecting the influence of Domenico Passignano from the artist's years in Florence 1599-1606 and not yet the restrained colouring, inspired by Ludovico Carracci, of his work of subsequent decades