Saint John of Nepomuk
Artist:
Jose de Paez
(Mexican, 1727 - 1790)
Period: Viceroyalty of New Spain
Date: 18th century
Place made:Mexico
Medium: Oil on copper
Dimensions:
11 3/4 x 8 1/2 in. (29.8 x 21.6 cm)
Credit Line: Gift of Del Baker, Jr.
Object number: 81.191.35
Label Text
Jose de Paez was one of the most popular painters of the second half of the eighteenth century. In this beautiful representation of Saint John Nepomucen, we see how accomplished he was at painting the human figure, especially facial features.
Saint John served as Confessor to Bohemian Prince Wenceslaus' wife. According to tradition, the prince, the prince suspected his wife of infidelity and demanded that Saint John reveal the nature of her confession. He refused and was tortured and his bound body thrown from a bridge in Prague. This martyred saint is the patron of lawyers, confessors, and bridges. He is also invoked for secret-keeping, as suggested by the cherub's gestures at the bottom left.
(Marion Oettinger, 1998)
Saint John served as Confessor to Bohemian Prince Wenceslaus' wife. According to tradition, the prince, the prince suspected his wife of infidelity and demanded that Saint John reveal the nature of her confession. He refused and was tortured and his bound body thrown from a bridge in Prague. This martyred saint is the patron of lawyers, confessors, and bridges. He is also invoked for secret-keeping, as suggested by the cherub's gestures at the bottom left.
(Marion Oettinger, 1998)
On view
In Collection(s)
The San Antonio Museum of Art is in the process of digitizing its permanent collection. This electronic record was created from historic documentation that does not necessarily reflect SAMA's complete or current knowledge about the object. Review and updating of such records is ongoing.
This resource has been made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the Human Endeavor.
