San Juan Nepomuceno

Felipe de la Espada, San Juan Nepomuceno, late 18th-early 19th century, carved and painted wood, 9 3⁄8 x 3 5⁄8 x 2 3⁄4 in. (23.7 x 9.3 x 7.0 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Teodoro Vidal Collection, 1996.91.38
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Artwork Details

Title
San Juan Nepomuceno
Artist
Date
late 18th-early 19th century
Location
Dimensions
9 3⁄8 x 3 5⁄8 x 2 3⁄4 in. (23.7 x 9.3 x 7.0 cm.)
Credit Line
Teodoro Vidal Collection
Mediums
Mediums Description
carved and painted wood
Classifications
Subjects
  • Religion — saint — St. John
Object Number
1996.91.38
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1996.91.38

Artwork Description

Saint John Nepomuk is represented in this santo with a tilted head, placid expression, and outstretched arms to convey the great compassion for which he was venerated throughout the Spanish colonies. Saint John was born in the town of Nepomuk in today’s Czech Republic. He became the vicar-general of Prague, but King Wenceslaus IV had him thrown from a bridge into the river Moldau in 1393 when John refused to reveal details of the queen’s confession. After he was made a saint in 1729, John’s popularity spread throughout Europe and the New World, where priests eagerly promoted the veneration of the patron saint of confession. In certain regions St. John also served as the patron saint of irrigation, bridges, and other engineering projects. (Andrew Connors, “José Campeche’s San Juan Nepomuceno,” American Art, Summer 1997)

Works by this artist (5 items)

View all artworks
Felipe de la Espada, San Ramon Nonato, late 18th-early 19th century, carved and painted wood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Teodoro Vidal Collection, 1996.91.39
San Ramon Nonato
Artist
Datelate 18th-early 19th century
carved and painted wood
On view
Felipe de la Espada, San Benito Abad, ca. 1770-1818, carved and painted cedar with glass, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Teodoro Vidal Collection, 1996.91.36
San Benito Abad
Artist
Dateca. 1770-1818
carved and painted cedar with glass
On view
Felipe de la Espada, Santa Rita de Casia, late 18th-early 19th century, carved and painted wood with glass, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Teodoro Vidal Collection, 1996.91.40
Santa Rita de Casia
Artist
Datelate 18th-early 19th century
carved and painted wood with glass
On view
Felipe de la Espada, San Juan Nepomuceno, late 18th-early 19th century, carved and painted wood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Teodoro Vidal Collection, 1996.91.38
San Juan Nepomuceno
Artist
Datelate 18th-early 19th century
carved and painted wood
On view

More Artworks from the Collection

Browse All Artworks
Felipe de la Espada, San Ramon Nonato, late 18th-early 19th century, carved and painted wood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Teodoro Vidal Collection, 1996.91.39
San Ramon Nonato
Artist
Datelate 18th-early 19th century
carved and painted wood
On view
Unidentified, San Gregorio Magno, 18th century, carved and painted wood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Teodoro Vidal Collection, 1996.91.58A-B
San Gregorio Magno
Artist
Unidentified
Date18th century
carved and painted wood
On view
Espada Family, Cristo, late 18th-early 19th century, carved and painted wood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Teodoro Vidal Collection, 1996.91.42
Cristo
Artist
Attributed to Espada Family
Datelate 18th-early 19th century
carved and painted wood
On view
Felipe de la Espada, Santa Rita de Casia, late 18th-early 19th century, carved and painted wood with glass, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Teodoro Vidal Collection, 1996.91.40
Santa Rita de Casia
Artist
Datelate 18th-early 19th century
carved and painted wood with glass
On view