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
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.
