Catalogue
Sculpture
San Juan de Goto
Desconocido
Technical Datasheet
This sculpture represents Saint John of Goto, one of the Jesuits saints who were martyred in 1597 near Nagasaki (Japan). The Saint is represented and wearing the characteristic clothes of the Jesuits, a black cassock and a black cloak, both richly decorated using the estofado technique with golden vegetal motifs. This sculpture presents a frontal arrangement, capturing the Saint in a forward-moving pose —his left leg is forward and his head is slightly turned to the right—, this gesture, together with the lively drapery, lends dynamism to the image. These techniques along with the face expressiveness (thoughtful and focused) show the baroque style of this sculpture. The right arm is bent over his chest and the left one is reached out upwards; in his left hand, the Saint may have carried one of his iconographic attributes (nowadays it is missing): the cross in which he died or a martyr's palm.
This image, together with its pair (Saint Diego Kisai), was part of an altarpiece devoted to the Martyrs of Japan in the Annunciation Church during the first third of the 18th century. The altarpiece disappeared during the reforms of this church carried out by dean López Cepero in the 19th century.
NºCatalogue
1615-00-IA-ESC
Author/s
Typology
Chronology
1630 - 1660
Style
Technique
Materials
Location
Dimensions
147 x 72,5 x 44 cm.
Source
Real concession of the Jesuits Patrimony.On 31 December 1771, possession of the property was taken.
Collection
Form of entry
Date of admission
22-08-1769
