The best for the King of Portugal

Saint Anne
Unknown author, c. 1732
Terracotta model, c. 1729

This royal command followed several steps. First, drawings were sent from Italy to be appreciated and evaluated by the King, followed by correspondence specifying João V’s comments. Later, came terracotta models of about 66 cm high, 3D models and, again, letters of recommendations and finally the approval.

In this pen drawing of the Royal Basilica of Mafra by Joaquim Machado de Castro, we can see four Italian statues: St. Francis of Assisi, St. Dominic, Saint Elizabeth of Hungary and Saint Clara and the pediment medallion. Let's take a closer look at the sculptures!

The Virgin, the Holy Child and Saint Anthony
José de Almeida, 1730

This wooden medallion represents the patrons of the Basilica of Mafra. The medallion was placed in the pediment of the church until the arrival of a similar one, in jasper, commissioned in Italy to the artist Giuseppe Lironi (1731).

Saint Francis of Assisi
Carlo Monaldi, c. 1731

Located on the south side of the second level of the facade, the statue represents Saint Francis, the founder of the Franciscan Order, a preaching and mendicant order, for which the Convent of Mafra was intended. Represented in his middle age, the Saint is wearing the habit with the hood, the rope with the three knots and barefoot, signs of poverty.

Saint Dominic
Carlo Monaldi, c.1731

This sculpture is located in the north side of the first level of the Basilica's facade, in opposite to Saint Francis's sculpture. The statue represents Saint Dominic who was the founder of the Dominican Order, known as a preaching and mendicant order.

Saint Elizabeth, Queen of Hungary
Giovanni Battista Maini, c. 1732

Located on the south side of the facade, the statue represents Saint Elizabeth of Hungary or Saint Elizabeth of Thuringia, a princess of the Kingdom of Hungary, Landgravine of Thuringia, Germany, and a greatly venerated Catholic saint. She was an early member of the Third Order of St. Francis, by which she is honored as its patroness.

Saint Clare of Assisi
Giovanni Battista Maini, c. 1731

Saint Clare of Assisi was the founder of the monastic religious order called the Poor Ladies, follower of the Franciscan tradition. Its Rule of Life was the first guideline for monastic life written by a woman. After her death, Pope Urban IV officially changed the name of the Order of Poor Ladies to the Order of Saint Clare, in 1263. The statue is located on the south side of the facade, opposite to Saint Elizabeth of Hungary.

Saint Clare dressed in the Franciscan habit, with a serene face, sign of peace, contemplation and prayer.

For the Basilica of Mafra, the sculptor Giovanni Battista Maini carved statues of St. Michael and St. Gabriel; St. Claire and St. Elisabeth of Hungary were also attributed to him. Many works were commissioned by the Portuguese court, which are lost nowadays. His major works are the monument to Innocenzo X, at Sant'Agnese in Agone Church, in Piazza Navona and the Neri Corsini funerary monument, in S. Giovanni in Laterano. As a curiosity, Maini, as his Master Rusconi, always molded his designs in plaster before passing them to marble.

Terracotta model for the statue of Saint Clare, sent from Rome for the King's approval (c. 1730 ).

Saint Vincent
Carlo Monaldi, 1731

The martyr Saint Vincent is located in the north side of the main door of the Basilica, opposite to Saint Sebastian. He is represented wearing a rich embroidered dalmatic and a stole over an alb with lace. In his left hand, he holds the palm of martyrdom and, in the right hand, the book of the Gospel. At his feet, one of the ravens that accompanied the boat transporting his body until Lisbon. The patron of this city, Saint Vincent was a saint of special devotion of the Portuguese Royal Family.

Saint Vincent - detail.

Carlo Monaldi was the author of the well known Saint Francis of Assisi and other statues for St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. He was also very active for Portuguese patrons. After finishing is work in the Vatican in 1730, he starts working for Mafra: the medallions over the Narthex and the Convent doors, Saint Francis of Assisi, Saint Dominic, Saint Clare, Saint Sebastian, Saint Vincent, Saint Theresa, Saint Elijah and Saint Philip Neri, most of them with the artist’s signature like here, in the statue of St. Vincent.

Saint Sebastian
Carlo Monaldi, 1731

Statue of Saint Sebastian, a Roman soldier converted to Christianity and martyred by Emperor Diocletian in the 3rd century. Protector of the plague, war and famine. Located on the left side of the main door of the church. This statue, along with the representation of Saint Vincent, are the largest in this collection (3,58 m).

Saint Benedict
Giuseppe Rusconi, c. 1731

Saint Benedict, placed in the north side of the narthex, is another founder of a religious order, in this case the Benedictines. He is represented with the Book of the Rule and wearing the habit. Saint Benedict was the founder of the western monastic movement and is the patron of Europe.

Saint Bernard de Clairvaux
Giuseppe Rusconi, c. 1731

Member of the Cistercian Order, Saint Bernard was an important reformer of the Catholic Church. The Book of the Rules he holds in his hand refers the reform task he devoted most of his life. At his feet, the devil (serpent) wrapped in heretical books. The statue is placed in the north side of the narthex, in front of Saint Benedict.

Saint Bruno of Cologne
Giuseppe Lironi, c. 1732

Founder of Carthusian Order in 1084. Represented with a shaved head, beardless and wearing the habit of the Order. The crucifix in his hand has the symbolic means "the Cross is steady while the world is turning", motto of the Order. At his feet, a skull sign of mystical devotion. The statue is located in the south side of narthex.

Saint John of Matha
Pietro Bracci, c. 1731/32

Saint John of Matha is the co-founder of the Trinitarium Order, with Saint Felix of Valois. The Order was founded in Rome to ransome the Christian captives. He is represented with the broken chains of the captives and a cross on the chest, his usual attributes. This statue is placed in the south side of the narthex.

Virgin, Jesus and Saint Anthony
Carlo Monaldi, c. 1732

Carrara marble medallion, placed over the main door of the Basilica, representing the Virgin, the Holy Child and Saint Anthony, patrons of the church. The Virgin holds Child Jesus and rests her left hand on Saint Anthony's shoulder in a gesture of protection.

Saint Teresa of Avila
Carlo Monaldi, c. 1731

Statue of Saint Teresa holding the book of the Carmelite Order, which she reformed. The sculpture is located in the narthex of the Basilica, among the founders and the reformers of the main religious orders.

Terracota model for the statue of Saint Teresa of Avila or Teresa of Jesus, send from Rome for the King's approval.