Reliquary Bust of Saint Francis Borgia (1510-1572)

Gallery 358, European Art 1500-1850, third floor

Main Building

Reliquary Bust of Saint Francis Borgia (1510-1572)

c. 1624-1650

Artist/maker unknown, Spanish

Francis Borgia (Spanish, 1510-1572), great grandson of Pope Alexander VI and grandson of King Ferdinand of Aragon, became a monk in 1551 and rose to be the third head or general of the Jesuit order. The “B” on the base of the bust refers to the beatification of Borgia that took place in 1624. He was canonized as a saint in 1670. The central cavity--now empty--was originally intended to hold a relic.

Gallery 358, European Art 1500-1850, third floor

Object Details

Title:

Reliquary Bust of Saint Francis Borgia (1510-1572)

Date:

c. 1624-1650

Artist:

Artist/maker unknown, Spanish

Medium:

Wood with painted and gilt decoration (estofado)

Dimensions:

24 5/8 x 18 1/8 x 8 1/2 inches (62.6 x 46 x 21.6 cm)

Classification:

Sculpture

Credit Line:

Purchased with the Fiske Kimball Fund, 1993

Accession Number:

1993-22-1

Geography:

Made in Spain, Europe

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Gallery 358, European Art 1500-1850, third floor

Main Building

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