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Wednesday, July 29, 2009

The Charity of St John Of God

One of the most beautiful of Murillo`s paintings still in situ in the Church of St George in the Hospital de la Caridad in Seville is one of two paintings by Murillo of St John of God (San Juan de Dios)

In 2006 it was restored by a team at the Prado Museum

St John of God is shown carrying a poor but heavy man on his back. It is a night scene and there is no other light than from the Angel Gabriel who suddenly appears to help the Saint carry the beggar. The drama rests in the gaze between the Angel and the Saint

The saint (1495-1550) was and is a popular saint and is the patron saint of hospitals, the sick, nurses, firefighters, alcoholics, and booksellers

Bartolomé Esteban Murillo. ca.1617-1682
La caída de San Juan de Dios 1672-74
Oil on canvas
Hospital de la Caridad, Seville, Andalucia

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