Carlo Borromeo came from an aristocratic family and since childhood was destined for a career within the Church. At the age of seven he received the tonsure, while at the age of twelve he became an abbot. After completing his studies in Pavia he went to Rome, where his uncle had just become pope, as Pius IV, while Charles became his right-hand man. From that moment on he held numerous church offices and was also appointed cardinal and archbishop of Milan. Income, which he received from the posts he held, was mainly invested in charity. During the times of the Council of Trent, when the future of the Roman Catholic Church was at stake, the cardinal was a staunch supporter of the reform camp. He noticed that the Church is struggling with a problem of losing authority both in Italy as well as in Europe, and only through new, moral conduct of its representative could it recover the lost significance and prestige. After leaving Rome to go to Milan, he attempted to implement the Trent decrees. He strove to raise the level of education of the clergy, establishing seminars, as well as of the faithful themselves, teaching them the basis of the faith in parishes. However, he gained popularity and renown mainly through his devotion to the poor and ill, especially needed during the time of the plague which constantly erupted, decimating the populace of Milan.

When it comes, to the cardinal’s views on art, he accepted it in the spirit of the Council of Trent, believing that artists “should avoid all, that is deemed secular, ugly, immoral, and bold”.

Charles Borromeo died of the fever and was buried in Milan. Next to St. Ambrose, he became the patron of the city. In 1610 he was pronounced a saint. Undoubtedly purely earthly factors were also decisive in his canonization. In him, the Church saw an exemplary defender of the faith and a nepot devoted to the Church. He was a perfect fit for the positive figure of a Curia official, sensitive to the voice of the people. At the same time his criticism of the clergy and desire to discipline its members, which he preached during his life, were not mentioned. It must be added, that the cardinal was considered to be a man without a sense of humor, severe and thoroughly uncompromising. It should therefore come as no surprise, that it was not difficult for him to fall in conflict with the Church authorities and even with the pope himself.

In Rome, there are several significant churches dedicated to Charles Borromeo. The most important, is the one built by the Milanese, San Carlo al Corso, the second – built due to Charles’s canonization, San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane, while the third is the San Carlo ai Catinari. In all of these churches (and not only) we will find paintings depicting the cardinal, painting series, sculptures, and altars, mainly created in the XVII century. In the painting representations, a very common motif, is a procession in which Charles Borromeo takes part, carrying a cross. These types of atonement processions, initiated by him in Milan, were to drive away the plague, to which, as we know, he himself finally fell victim.