Santa Rita de Casia
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Object Details
- Artist
- Felipe de la Espada, born San Germán, Puerto Rico ca. 1754-died San Germán, Puerto Rico 1818
- Luce Center Label
- Conservation of this santo revealed red marks representing blood and a faded trace of a thorn on the figure’s forehead beneath layers of paint. These are symbols of St. Rita, who spent her days meditating on Christ’s sacrifice at the Monastery of the Hermits of Saint Augustine in Casia, Spain. This santo is meant to be dressed with textiles representing her habit. Her arms have been lost and she no longer wears a wig. The figure was found in a peasant home in the rural district of Minillas in San Germán, Puerto Rico. In its early colonial years, Puerto Rico had very few priests and it was difficult for those who lived in remote areas to attend church. As a result, rural Puerto Ricans worshiped at home before altars filled with santos, such as this Santa Rita.
- Credit Line
- Smithsonian American Art Museum, Teodoro Vidal Collection
- late 18th-early 19th century
- Object number
- 1996.91.40
- Restrictions & Rights
- CC0
- Type
- Sculpture
- Medium
- carved and painted wood with glass
- Dimensions
- 19 1/4 x 7 3/8 x 6 1/4 in. (48.9 x 18.8 x 15.9 cm.)
- See more items in
- Smithsonian American Art Museum Collection
- Department
- Painting and Sculpture
- On View
- Smithsonian American Art Museum, 2nd Floor, South Wing
- Smithsonian American Art Museum
- Topic
- Religion\saint\St. Rita
- Record ID
- saam_1996.91.40
- Metadata Usage (text)
- CC0
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/vk74b48a7e3-d726-4056-9a08-66915c228786
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