Saint Anthony in Prayer before the Christ Child

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Gallery 382, European Art 1500-1850, third floor

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Saint Anthony in Prayer before the Christ Child

1725

Fray Miguel de Herrera (Mexican, born 1696, active c. 1725–c. 1780)

Saint Anthony of Padua was born in Lisbon in 1195. He became a friend and disciple of Saint Francis of Assisi and traveled widely on behalf of the Franciscan Order. Anthony is shown here kneeling at the feet of the baby Jesus, who appeared to him in a mystical vision. At his feet are lilies, emblems of purity, while behind him fountains in a garden refer to chastity and the traditional Franciscan love of nature. Among the first new arrivals to New Spain, as the newly conquered territory of Mexico was known, Franciscan friars converted a large number of Mexican Indians to Christianity and had widespread influence.

Gallery 382, European Art 1500-1850, third floor

Object Details

Title:

Saint Anthony in Prayer before the Christ Child

Date:

1725

Artist:

Fray Miguel de Herrera (Mexican, born 1696, active c. 1725–c. 1780)

Medium:

Oil on canvas

Dimensions:

43 1/4 × 66 3/8 inches (109.9 × 168.6 cm)

Classification:

Paintings

Credit Line:

The Dr. Robert H. Lamborn Collection, 1903

Accession Number:

1903-943

Geography:

Made in Mexico, North and Central America

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Gallery 382, European Art 1500-1850, third floor

Main Building

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