Mexican school; second half of the 18th century.

Mexican school; second half of the XVIII century.
"San Juan Nepomuceno".
Oil on canvas.
It has frame of the eighteenth century.
Signed "Najera".
Measurements: 83 x 63.5 cm; 95 x 76 cm (frame).
In the foreground of this devotional work is represented San Juan Nepomuceno accompanied by an angel holding in his hand a palm, indicating the martyrdom of the saint. Even so, the artist wanted to emphasize this moment, since in the background, in the distance, the moment before his death is represented.
A saint of Czech origin, he acquired great devotion and roots in the 17th century. He arrived in the Spanish overseas colonies by the hand of the Jesuits during the 18th century. He is represented as the exemplary priest, sometimes as a Mexican canon: cassock, ermine cape and hood as he is the patron saint of confessors. In his hands, he holds the palm (an attribute common to all martyrs) and the cross; the five stars are related to the stories of his martyrdom, under a starry night. The ermine cloak, in turn, indicates the choice of martyrdom rather than impurity; the four colors (white, red, green and blue) symbolize the four faculties that gave him the distinction of doctor of the Church: philosophy, ecclesiastical law, universal/civil law and theology.
Other of his attributes are the water lily, because he died drowned; the anchor, as patron of the drowned; chain or padlock on the lips for having refused to betray the secret of confession. The most common of these is the uncorrupted tongue, cut or torn out. Sometimes the fingers (the index finger) are placed on the lips, as a testimony of silence. The chapters of canons have San Juan Nepomuceno as patron and celebrate his feast, since he is also patron of the Archdiocese of Mexico.