Newly Acquired from Spain for Indianapolis: Sazillo's St. Francis

NEWFIELDS
By Kjell M. Wangensteen, PhD
Associate Curator of European Art

Francisco Salzillo y Alcaraz (Spanish, 1707-1783), Saint Francis of Assisi, about 1775, parcel-gilt and polychrome wood, silver, gold, silk, A-C) installed: 24-5/16 x 8-5/16 x 4-3/4 in. A) sculpture: 15 x 7-3/8 x 4-3/4 in. B) banner: 7 x 4 x 3/8 in. C) staff: 14-1/4 x 1-7/8 x 1/8 in., Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields. Anonymous Art Fund in memory of Louisa A. Vonnegut Peirce, James E. Roberts Fund by exchange, Gift of Miklos Sperling by exchange

To anyone seeking advice on buying a work of art, I would say this: never underestimate the importance of spending time in the presence of the object. A recent acquisition I made on behalf of Newfields is a case in point. On seeing it in person, I was convinced that it was a museum-quality object and a good fit for the IMA. One year later, I am pleased to have bought this sculpture, St Francis of Assisi, into our collection. In near-perfect condition, the 15-inch tall sculpture is almost certainly a work by Spanish sculptor Francisco Salzillo y Alcaraz (1707-1783). [More]

St. Francis of Assist is on view through July 12 at the Director's Choice exhibition (temporarily closed during COVID-19 shutdown).

Newfields Magazine, Spring 2020, pg12