1725

Saint Anthony in Prayer before the Christ Child

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.