Spanish Colonial, late 18th to early 19th c. A Spanish Colonial devotional painting depicting four bishops and saints. The composition is divided into quadrants, and the name of each holy figure is painted in black. The saint at the upper right holding the Christ Child is San Cayetano (Saint Cajetan), founder of hospitals and co-founder of the Order of the Theatines Regular Clerks. The inscriptions identifying the other figures are difficult to discern, but it is clear that the two on the lower half of the composition depict bishops given their mitres and liturgical vestments. The painting is mounted in a stunning custom frame adorned by an interior gold tone molding embellished with carved leaf motifs, surrounded by a generous border of hand-painted golden vines on a garnet red ground. Size (sight view): 14.8" L x 11.375" W (37.6 cm x 28.9 cm) Size (frame): 23.25" L x 19.7" W (59.1 cm x 50 cm)

During the Spanish Colonial period, portraits of saints like this attested to the spread of Catholicism. Spanish priests and missionaries were sent to the new colonies to establish mission and teach their faith. According to scholar Gloria Fraser Giffords, "Saint Cajetan was greatly concerned with the corruption and indifference of Catholics during his lifetime. Although of a wealthy family and highly educated, he selected a religious life and was ordained when he was thirty-three years old in 1516. He re-founded a group called the Confraternity of the Divine Love, dedicated to the zealous promotion of the welfare of souls. No job was too menial for this group, who were small, select, and even aristocratic in composition. They strongly emphasized poverty and aiding the sick. / In 1527 Emperor Charles V sacked Rome. The Spanish soldiers, certain that the group was hiding great wealth, brutally tortured the members of the order, including Cajetan. The group fled to Venice, where Cajetan was selected as the leader of the Theatines. His humility became legendary, and stories of miracles multiplied during his own lifetime." ("Mexican Folk Retablos" revised edition by Gloria Giffords, p. 90)

Note: There is an exhibition label for the Lancaster Museum of Art & History Madonna & Child exhibition (December 6, 2012 - January 19, 2013) on the verso of this painting.

Provenance: ex-private Pasadena, California, USA collection

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#180888

Exhibition label for Lancaster Museum of Art & History Madonna & Child exhibition (December 6, 2012 - January 19, 2013) on the verso. Collection labels for Tom and Christie Accatino on the verso as well. Normal age wear with expected surface scuffs, stains, and impressions from stretcher bars. Patch on back of canvas from old repair. Mounted in attractive custom frame; chips and scuffs to frame as shown. Fit with suspension wire.