Lot 242
Spanish Colonial, Mexico, 19th century. A large Spanish Colonial painting on canvas depicting Saint Cajetan (San Cayetano), the co-founder of the order of the Theatines Regular Clerks and the founder of numerous hospitals. He wears the black robe of his order and a luxurious bejeweled chain thought to symbolize either his rejection of wealth since the Theatines took vows of poverty, his aristocratic upbringing as Count of Thiene, or his leadership of his order. The Crucifixion behind him refers to the mystical crucifixion he endured when Theatine brothers wanted to transport him from the hardwood floor that he slept upon to a proper bed. Saint Cajetan protested, "if hardwood is good enough for my Saviour to die on then it is good enough for me." He kneels in prayer and presents a lace scarf to the Virgin and Child; a ray of holy light runs from her hand to St. Cajetan; a ray of red blood runs from the Crucifixion to St. Cajetan. Jesus is above him and the Holy Spirit in the form of a white dove flies toward the Madonna. Size: 33.3" L x 25.25" W (84.6 cm x 64.1 cm)
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)
Provenance: private San Francisco, California, USA collection, acquired 1970s to 2000s
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#174147
- Condition: Expected wear commensurate with age showing areas of loss, staining, abrasions, and cracks to finish. On verso: age cracks, punctures, and losses to stretchers and encrustation on canvas.
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