Saint Anthony of Padua 1685 - 1715

Pedro de Mena carved this small statue of Saint Anthony of Padua out of wood in 17th century Spain. Mena was one of the leading sculptors in Baroque Spain, and this work exemplifies the period’s intense spiritual feeling. The figure is dressed in the simple habit of the Franciscan order, which emphasizes a life of poverty and devotion. He carries a book in his left arm, a reference to his reputation as a great preacher and scholar of the Bible. The Counter-Reformation church encouraged religious imagery that would create an emotional connection to the divine. Spanish Baroque sculpture, in particular, was known for its realism and dramatic intensity. Artists like Mena provided devotional images for churches and private patrons throughout Spain at a time when the church was at the heart of cultural life. Careful historical research into religious orders, artistic patronage, and the social function of images, can help us to better understand the power of art in the early modern world.