Vision of St. Anthony of Padua 1662

Alonzo Cano’s *Vision of St. Anthony of Padua* (1662) depicts the saint kneeling in adoration of the Virgin Mary, who is seated on a cloud with the baby Jesus in her arms. The scene, with its dramatic use of light and shadow, is characteristic of Cano’s late Baroque style. The saint's devotion and the divine beauty of the Virgin Mary create a powerful visual contrast. A cherub, holding a lily symbolizing purity, is seen at the bottom of the painting. The painting captures the profound faith and piety of St. Anthony of Padua, who is known for his love of the Virgin Mary and her son. This oil painting is a compelling example of 17th-century Spanish religious art.