San Rafael

Copied Genaro Rivera Aviles, San Rafael, late 19th-early 20th century, carved and painted wood and metal, 11 7⁄8 x 5 3⁄4 x 3 3⁄8 in. (30.2 x 14.7 x 8.6 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Teodoro Vidal Collection, 1996.91.51
Free to use

Artwork Details

Title
San Rafael
Artist
Date
late 19th-early 20th century
Location
Dimensions
11 7⁄8 x 5 3⁄4 x 3 3⁄8 in. (30.2 x 14.7 x 8.6 cm.)
Credit Line
Teodoro Vidal Collection
Mediums
Mediums Description
carved and painted wood and metal
Classifications
Subjects
  • Religion — angel — St. Raphael
  • Animal — fish
Object Number
1996.91.51
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1996.91.51

Artwork Description

Saint Raphael, the guide of travelers and pilgrims, is represented here with his symbols, a fish and a staff. According to the book of Tobit, Raphael accompanied Tobit’s son Tobias on a long journey. When the young Tobias caught a fish in the Tigris River, Raphael warned him not to eat the heart and liver. Later, Tobias used these parts as protection against the devil.