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Saint Patrick Missionary of Ireland
ca. 1960s
Frank Brito
Born: Albuquerque, New Mexico 1922
Died: Santa Fe, New Mexico 2005
carved and painted cottonwood
13 x 5 x 4 3/4 in. (33.0 x 12.7 x 12.1 cm.)
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak and museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment
1997.124.52
Smithsonian American Art Museum
3rd Floor, Luce Foundation Center
Saint Patrick was a Roman citizen who was kidnapped by a band of Irish raiders and sold into slavery. After he escaped with the help of an angel, he felt called to return to Ireland and spread the Gospel. The snakes symbolize the pagan beliefs that St. Patrick drove out of Ireland and into the sea. His solemn expression and confident stance evoke the saint’s determination to spread God’s word even after enduring pain and imprisonment.
Keywords
Animal - reptile - snake
Occupation - religion - missionary
Religion - saint - St. Patrick
sculpture
folk art
paint
wood - cottonwood
About Frank Brito
Born: Albuquerque, New Mexico 1922 Died: Santa Fe, New Mexico 2005
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