San Antonio y el Nino

Lares group, active mid 19th century-mid 20th century · ca. 1875-1900

In this santo the carver created tension by contrasting the saint's delicate gesture with the child's fidgeting. The image of the Christ child in the saint's arms represents the most famous incident in St. Anthony's story, when the infant Jesus appeared to him in a vision. In representations, Anthony often appears startled, as if the child has mysteriously materialized in his hands. Here the infant looks as if he might slip out of the saint's arms at any moment.