Mendicant Friar of the Conception

This figure is one of a set of 50 dressed to represent the outfits worn by Catholic religious orders. They are made of tow (hemp) with wax heads, hands and feet. They were probably made in France, as they are labelled in French, but some of the orders represented were only active in Germany and the Netherlands.

This figure represents a Conceptionist friar. Although the Conceptionists, founded in 1484 by St. Beatrice of Silva (1424-1492) are an order of nuns, many nunneries were under the jurisdiction of friars who served as confessors, priests, teachers and spiritual mentors. Conceptionist nuns wear a white habit with a distinctive blue cloak, which is mirrored in the friar's white tunic and blue scapular, cloak and short hooded cape.