Statue of Saint Anthony of Padua, c. 1800
Made in Mexico; Used in Southern California
Wood, gesso, paint, cloth, glass, and silver; 60” height
Gift of Rosita Yorba Locke
20786
One of the most treasured objects of the Bowers Museum is the beautiful and historically significant hand carved wooden statue of Saint Anthony, the patron saint of lost items, the poor and oppressed, and travelers. Carried from Mexico in the late 18th century the statue was bought for 60 pesos by the Mission San Juan Capistrano in 1801 and placed in the Serra Chapel. Infant Jesus rests in Saint Anthony’s left arm, a characteristic common to most representations of the Saint since the 17th century. The details of the head and hands are executed in gesso and the areas of the exposed skin are finished by an enamel-like appearance created through the application of successive layers of thin gesso. The eyes are made of glass covered with opaque paint. A careful examination of the robe reveals slight impressions of a floral design indicating that at one time it had a covering of fabric, probably mixed with gesso and pressed onto the figure. Around the waist of the figure is a cord, a personal item of Father Joseph Thomson, to which 35 small votive silver offerings called
milagros (miracles) suspend. These miniature silver charms in the shape of arms, legs, coins and medallions are the expressions of thanks and devotion left with the Saint for his intervention in matters that relate to each milagro's form.
In the first half of the 19th century the Mission and its residents suffered from a terrible drought that left the land parched and killed off livestock. Facing starvation, they were relieved by land owner Bernardo Yorba who relieved the situation by delivering cattle and spring water from his ranch. The statue was gifted to Yorba by the Mission padres of San Juan Capistrano in gratitude. It remained in the Yorba family until it was gifted to the Bowers Museum in 1954.
Postcard of Statue of Saint Anthony of Padua at Bowers Museum, c. 1960
Artvue Post Card Co.; NY
Printed paper; 3.5 x 5.5
All images and text under copyright. Please contact the Collection Department for permission to use.
Comments