New Spain or Spanish school; late eighteenth century.

Novo-Hispanic or Spanish school; late 18th century.
"Saint Francis Xavier".
Carved and polychromed wood.
It presents faults in the carving and polychromy.
Measurements: 35 x 18 x 6 cm.
The work that we present here, precisely because of the dates in which it is inscribed, denotes a certain decorativism typical of the period, especially noticeable in the gesture of the protagonist. Known as "the apostle of the Indies", Saint Francis Xavier was a religious and missionary from Navarre of the Society of Jesus who lived in the 16th century and was canonised in 1622. He became a role model as a missionary in pagan lands (he worked in China, India and Japan), which has given rise to an abundance of works about him. Traditionally, this saint is depicted wearing the white habit of his congregation and holding a cross in his left hand, which is lost here. In the case of this piece, he also wears a dark cloak with gold trimmings. In most of the representations, Saint Francis Xavier is depicted with dark tonsured hair, beard and moustache.
It is worth noting that during Spanish colonial rule, a mainly religious art was developed, aimed at Christianising the indigenous peoples. Local artists were modelled on Spanish works, which they followed literally in terms of type and iconography. The most frequent models were harquebusier angels and triangular virgins; however, in the early years of the 19th century, at the time of independence and political opening of some of the colonies, several artists began to represent a new model of painting with its own identity.