San Gregorio Magno

Copied Unidentified, San Gregorio Magno, 18th century, carved and painted wood, 27 1⁄2 x 9 5⁄8 x 9 1⁄4 in. (69.8 x 24.5 x 23.6 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Teodoro Vidal Collection, 1996.91.58A-B
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Artwork Details

Title
San Gregorio Magno
Artist
Unidentified
Date
18th century
Location
Dimensions
27 1⁄2 x 9 5⁄8 x 9 1⁄4 in. (69.8 x 24.5 x 23.6 cm.)
Credit Line
Teodoro Vidal Collection
Mediums
Mediums Description
carved and painted wood
Classifications
Subjects
  • Religion — saint — St. Gregory
Object Number
1996.91.58A-B
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1996.91.58A-B

Artwork Description

This formidable figure represents St. Gregory wearing the tall miter of the pope. Known as Gregory the Great, Pope Gregory I was one of the four Latin Fathers of the Catholic Church. Born to a noble family in Rome, he gave up personal wealth to dedicate his life to God. He converted his palace into a monastery and lived there for seven years as a monk. He was made a deacon of Rome by Pope Benedict I and became pope in 590. During his papacy, Gregory established the rule of celibacy for the clergy and arranged church music and prayers into the Gregorian chants we hear today.