MISSION SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO TO UNVEIL SPANISH COLONIAL ROOM
Mission San Juan Capistrano is excited to announce the unveiling of its newly refurbished Spanish Colonial Room, featuring recently conserved liturgical artwork from the 18th and 19th centuries as a way to explore the Mission’s founding period from 1776 to 1821.
The artwork addresses the history of Spain’s colonization of California, the purpose of the missions in forming Spanish communities, and the changes and challenges the indigenous people faced in the wake of colonization. The Spanish Colonial Room also features the history of unique architectural elements, like a 1790s Wine Vat, which was part of the original West Wing Building or the Mission’s industrial building.
The room is scheduled to open this Friday, Jan. 15 in time for Martin Luther King Weekend, and will be located in the Mission’s West Wing Museum Building. The room will be permanent, like Saint Serra’s Legacy. Cost is free with paid admission to the Mission.
“Guests will be able to view artwork not seen in decades,” said Mechelle Lawrence Adams, Executive Director of Mission San Juan Capistrano. “This project is part of the Mission’s efforts to upgrade and improve its visitor experience and to ensure that our museum collection is as accessible as possible to the many audiences of the landmark.”
The following are included among the artwork in the Mission’s Spanish Colonial Room:
The Pieta
Artist Unknown
19th century
“Pieta” is an Italian word for the image of the Virgin Mary cradling the body of Jesus after his crucifixion. Though not specifically described in the Bible, the Pieta is a common subject of Western art, most often in sculpture.
Conserved by Balboa Art Conservation Center, San Diego, California, through the generosity of J.P. Haines & Tony Montemurro in loving memory of Tony’s mother, Mrs. Marie Montemurro.
Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus
Artist Unknown
19th century
This large painting would be the sixth of this set of fourteen Stations of the Cross collection. This image depicts Saint Veronica witnessing Jesus carrying the cross and she stops to wipe the sweat and blood from his face with her veil in an attempt to provide some small amount of comfort.
Conserved by Fine Art Conservation Laboratory, Santa Barbara, California, through the generosity of J.P. Haines & Tony Montemurro in loving memory of Tony’s mother, Mrs. Marie Montemurro.
Jesus Wearing the Crown of Thorns
Artist Unknown
18th Century
This powerful painting represents an event during the Crucifixion that is in the Gospels.
Conserved by Balboa Art Conservation Center, San Diego, California, through the generosity of the Honorable Warren and Jan Siegel
Our Lady of Sorrows
Artist Unknown
19th Century
“Our Lady of Sorrows” is a name by which the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary is referred to when depicted during the seven sorrowful events of her life. These seven sorrowful events inspire devotional prayer in the Catholic faith.
Conserved by Balboa Art Conservation Center, San Diego, California, with funding provided by the California Missions Foundation and private donations made in the memory of long time Mission volunteer, Bev Smith. Framing of the painting was funded through the generosity of J.P. Haines & Tony Montemurro in loving memory of Tony’s mother, Mrs. Marie Montemurro.
Saint Anthony
Artist Unknown
18th Century
Saint Anthony of Padua was born in Portugal in the year 1195 with the name Fernando Martins. He later became a Franciscan monk and was known for his inspirational preaching. In art, he is often depicted with a book or holding the infant Jesus. He is the patron saint of lost and stolen articles.
Conserved by Susan Brown Painting Conservation, Laguna Beach, California, through the generosity of J.P. Haines & Tony Montemurro in loving memory of Tony’s mother, Mrs. Marie Montemurro.
Sculpture of Mary Magdalene
Artist Unknown
19th Century
This sculpture of Mary Magdalene is believed to have been carved in Mexico and brought to the Mission along with eight other statues for use in the niches located in the sanctuary of the Great Stone Church (now known as the Ruins of the Great Stone Church).
About Mission San Juan Capistrano:
Known as the “Jewel of the Missions,” Mission San Juan Capistrano is a historic landmark and museum that boasts of quality permanent exhibits featuring original artifacts as well as traveling and temporary exhibits on a wide variety of topics.
The site itself serves as a living outdoor museum with original buildings constructed by Native Americans in the 18th century including the Serra Chapel, Great Stone Church, and the original padres’ quarters of the South Wing.
The Mission was founded on November 1, 1776 by Padre Junipero Serra as the seventh in the chain of the twenty-one California missions established by Spain, and is Orange County’s only mission. Every year, over 50,000 students visit the Mission and engage in an inspirational learning experience via the Mission Matters programming, as part of their State required California history studies.
Mission San Juan Capistrano is owned by the Diocese of Orange and is supported by the Mission Preservation Foundation, which is comprised of business and community leaders committed to ensuring the long term preservation and viability of Orange County’s only Mission. The Mission receives no funding from either the Church or the State of California and charges admission funds as a means of providing public access.
Mission San Juan Capistrano is located at 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675. Open Daily 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Good Friday afternoon. Admission is $9 adults; $8 seniors (60 years or over); $6 children (ages 4 to 11); and children ages 3 and under are admitted free. Free audio guide with senior and adult admission. For more information, call (949) 234-1300 or visit www.missionsjc.com.
