Art & Antiquities de San Antonio

J.D. Blackburn

850G (XBCJTP)

Santa Rita de Casia.

Oil on tin retablo from Mexico. 7" high X 7" wide. Honoring her parents wishes that she marry instead of entering a convent. Santa Rita, she spent 18 years of her life in abject terror of the man that she was forced to marry. Her exemplary life finally moved him to reform but was shortly thereafter killed in a brawl under circumstances that made his 2 sons vow to avenge him. They also died however before their mission was completed. Even though she was thrice refused entrance to the convent she was finally accepted. Santa Rita was particularly devoted to the sufferings of Christ and after she heard a sermon on the crown of thorns, a strange physical reaction occurred. As she knelt in prayer, she noted pain in her forehead as though a thorn had detached herself from the crucifix that she was contemplating and embedded itself in her forehead. This wound became so offensive she had to be secluded from the rest of her piers. She is shown dressed as an Augustinian Nun and frequently appears holding a crucifix and with a thorn in her forehead. Good condition.

$675.00