Background1

Statues & Other

Click for: Paintings

San Gaetano is also represented in statues large and small all over the world. Life size statues of the Saint standing by himself or many times with the child Jesus in his arms exist in most of the parishes where he is Patron. These statues are taken in procession around the streets of the town or village concerned. Sometimes Gaetano is also accompanied by the Virgin Mary handing him the Holy Babe.

Bernini.
Rome Italy Basilica of Sta. Maria Maggiore:
White marble statue of San Gaetano holding the Child Jesus, in a niche in the crypt beneath the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. This statue is sited close to where San Gaetano’s vision actually took place. (In a letter the saint wrote to a nun at Brescia, he explained that when he was once lost in prayer at this spot, the Holy Child climbed into his arms). Above the statue, also in marble, is an inscription in Latin installed during Pope Innocent XII’s reign. Pictures Below.

Latin inscription above niche.

Vatican City:
St Peter’s Basilica:
Massive statue of St Cajetan in a niche Picture on Right, in one of the four columns supporting the Dome. As you reach the altar: Near right facing altar about 4 metres up.

Spain - Catalunya - Barcelona:
Sant Gaieta’: Statue by Andreu Sala (late 17th century) at the Real academy of Fine Arts in the Museu Provincial d'Antiguitats de Barcelona. .....Picture on Left.

Czech Republic - Prague:
On Charles bridge, Prague’s most celebrated structure: One of 22 statues: St.Kajetan stands here in front of a column of cherubs while holding a sacred heart. Behind the statue, a triangle symbolizes the Holy Trinity. The statues were put on the bridge in the period 1707-14. The Jesuits who masterminded the plan for the decoration of the bridge, thought that saints linked to the national traditions or to the Counter Reformation period, were more suited to their efforts to re-catholicize Bohemia, than the twelve Apostles. Picture on Right.....

Germany - Dresden
Ignaz Guenther (1725 - 1775)
A 30.5cm high statue of Heiliger Kajetan. This statue is a ‘Bozzetto’ or model for a larger one on the front of the Theatinekirche in Munich done in 1766. This gray burnt clay statue is in the Bavarian Rococo style and represents great expression of movement. Picture on Left.
The Saint’s hands are clutching a cross while behind his feet is an open book showing the motto: “Quaerite primum regnum Dei”.

In the ‘New world’:
Statues of San Cayetano are more common here, and some date back even a century or more. Most of the time these statues are of the 'Folk art' style and many were used in households for devotion. Of course, nowadays as from the last century, as everywhere else, each small parish of San Cayetano has its own statue which is taken out in procession on the Saint's feast day.

Brasil - Minas Gerais - Belo Horizonte.
Museo de Ouro
An 18th century multicoloured and gilt statue of Sao Caetano in wood, size 60x30x31cm, by an unknown craftsman. Picture on Right.....

In Brasil as in other South American countries, the government is trying to curb the tide of illegal exportation of local art. This statue of Sao Caetano from the 19th century by an unknown sculptor, was seized at the customs. It is wooden, painted in various colours and gilded. The size is 41x16cm. .....Picture on Left.

Southern Arizona
Tumacacori Mission (San Cayetano de Calabazas)
A good example of local folk art, this statue of San Cayetano is shown kneeling, with arms out and lowered, looking upward and dressed in the black habit of the Theatine Order. This is a roughly carved figure with fine head and hands and covered with gesso-stiffened and painted cloth tied with rope of a local sisal agave. The joints are held by hand-wrought nails, some covered with plaster. The lower right leg is missing. The torso and upper right leg are one piece. There is a peg through each palm that appears slanted into the wrist. The statue features a low relief beard and mustache and painted hair. The gessoed fabric is more evenly spun than samples from other figures in the mission. Picture on Right.....

For sale over the Internet:
Argentina:
Here the devotion for San Cayetano is still flourishing and so is the art of making religious statues. The figures on the Right are in production for sale by the company called ‘Los Artesanos’. San Cayetano is manufactured in four different styles.

Also from South America comes this wood carving of San Cayetano for sale on E-bay.

Some of the best made statues including those of the Saint, are made in Spain, though one can find cheaper Spanish craft.

More expensive and well made on Left

Cheaper on Right.

Malta:
Well made Spanish statues of San Gejtanu are usually on sale in shops especially in Hamrun around the time of the Saint’s festa.
Picture on Right.....

Malta:
Hobby club in Hamrun whose members are interested in making Models of churches, statues and paraphernalia connected to the church. Various sizes of San Gejtanu statues. Picture on Right.....

From the same Hobby club in Hamrun comes this model of the San Gejtanu Parish Church of Hamrun made out of thousands of Matchsticks.
.....Picture on Left.

Pendants and Medallions with San Cayetano's figure are being sold on the internet. They come in various makes, materials and sizes. The 3 small devotional ones below are in Gold and other precious metals.

Click for: Paintings

Back to SAN GAETANO INDEX