Saint Gaetano

Saint Gaetano was born in 1480 in Vicenza, Italy, and died in Rome, in 1547. As a young man, he held various positions at the papal court. From 1513, he renounced to his life at court and began his evangelical work by founding several oratories.

This saint is recognized as co-founder of the Congregation of Clerics Regular, also called Theatines, who were characterized by their faith in Divine Providence. This is expressed in the inscription of the cartouche located at the bottom of the painting.

The images of Saint Gaetano were very popular in colonial America. In most of his representations he is seen holding the Child Jesus in his arms, who in this case, places his feet on cherubs and holds a lily in his right hand.

The saint is commonly depicted adorned with jewels. In the image, he wears a necklace made of gold and gemstones. Contrary to what might be thought, these ornaments are symbols of Gaetano’s sanctity and not of the earthly riches which he possessed due to his noble origin.

On the left, an angel states: Respicite lilia agri, ‘Look at the lilies of the field’. The flowery rod that the Child holds refers to this expression.

The allusions to birds and lilies come from chapter 6 of the Gospel of Matthew, in which Jesus speaks of the Divine Providence, a concept according to which God governs the Universe and protects his creations in favor of men.

The image is complemented by a dove, a symbol of the Holy Spirit, and a cross adorned with white and red roses, which represents the martyrdom of Christ.