The Vision of Saint John Bon

Towards the left side of this image, there is an inscription: “S.Y BON.” This refers to the identity of Saint John the Good, who is depicted in the image. 

According to hagiographic stories, around the age of forty, John fall seriously ill. After his recovery, he chose to lead an austere life. Thus, he abandoned his possessions and took refuge in a cave as a hermit.  

His fame for holiness reached the ears of young people who wished to follow his example. To instruct them within the rules of the Church, he formed a congregation called the Buoniti, after the saint’s last name. 

Over time, through the efforts of Pope Innocent III, the Buoniti were incorporated to the order of Saint Augustine. Saint John the Good took the Augustinian habit and established a monastery for his numerous disciples.  
For this reason, in the image, the saint wears a black habit, typical of the Augustinians. 

Juan Bueno experienced, amid a “dissolute” life, a mystical encounter with Christ.  

In the image, Jesus appears before him as a hermit, uttering the words “Dominus vobiscum,” which translates “The Lord is with you”. 

The saint, for his part, is depicted sitting on a friar’s chair, whose construction model was imported from Italy to Spain during the 15th century. After the arrival of Europeans in New Granada, it was one of the most common pieces of furniture.  

On the table, there are very simple dishes that correspond to the foods that, according to his hagiography, the saint used to eat: bread, beans, and roots.

At the foot of the table sits a small dog, an animal that symbolizes the saint’s fidelity to Christ.  

San Juan Bon died on October 23, 1249, the day on which his feast is celebrated.