Mission Gets New Picture of Namesake

A newly discovered painting of San Juan Capistrano, the saint so admired by Father Junipero Serra that he named his historic mission after him, went on display Friday at the mission.

The 17th-century painting may be one commissioned by Serra and is being attributed to one of Mexico’s premier painters, Jose de Paez. It is unsigned, but very similar to a smaller painting, that one signed by Paez, already on display at the mission.

The painting was found earlier this year at a flea market in Mexico by art collector Allan Bone, formerly of Laguna Beach.

The 5-foot painting was acquired for the mission’s permanent collection by Tony Forster, 65, a longtime supporter of the mission and whose family has historical ties to it. Forster would not name the purchase price but described it as “less than $50,000.”

The collector, Bone, has lived in Puebla, Mexico, since 1987 and specializes in Spanish Colonial art.

“I found the painting of San Juan with a colleague, Rodrigo Rivero Lake, in March and I wanted it to come home to the mission,” Bone, 37, said. “I knew about the mission when I lived in Laguna and I thought what a perfect place for the painting to be. It just called out to be adopted.”

Bone said he found the painting tucked among “dusty old things” at the flea market.

Forster said Friday night that the mission has documentation of a letter written by Serra that describes--with specific colors, symbols and styles--how he wanted the painting he was commissioning to be done and that the details match those of the painting.

“I didn’t have to wait for anyone to ask me to acquire the painting,” Forster said. “I looked at this fabulous piece that I recognized had to do with the mission. I wanted to keep it here. It’s the same artist. It wasn’t a concern to me that it wasn’t signed.”

Dated around the 1780s, the painting depicts the saint wearing an armored chestplate and sword and holding a red flag--symbols linked to San Juan. In the background is a battle scene with warring armies. Sainthood was bestowed on San Juan after thousands of Turks were killed in the name of the cross.

Serra, a Franciscan priest born in Spain, moved to Mexico in 1758. He founded the first nine missions along the California coast, including Mission San Juan Capistrano, where modern Orange County began. Serra first said Mass in 1778 in the mission’s adobe and wood-beamed chapel, one of the oldest buildings in California.

The painting will eventually be housed in a special display in the Vestment Room at the mission, according to Forster.

Forster’s great-great-grandfather bought the mission in 1844, but was forced to return it to the Catholic Church by President Lincoln in 1865. The family has kept ties with the mission ever since.

The painting of San Juan went on display Friday at the Barracks Gallery at the mission along with other Spanish Colonial artifacts collected by Bone. The exhibit, titled “En El Nombre de Dios” will be at the mission through Oct. 8.

Other objects in the collection date between the 1500s and 1700s and include a well-preserved “Escudo de Monja” or Nun’s Shield.

The shield, unique to 18th century Mexico, is hand-pounded copper medallion, painted and framed with tortoise shell. The piece was worn over the nun’s habit during the day. When she retired, the piece was used for private prayers.

Also in the exhibit are two handwritten letters by Serra addressed to the mission announcing the death of a prominent clergyman; a large, Mexican “tonala urn” or clay water vessels; and several gilded wood objects, such as a carving of Santa Monica.

This is the first time the museum has featured relics of devotion from Latin America; most items in the collection are older than others displayed at the museum.

“We’re trying to appeal to a wider audience and expand the cultural experience here,” said museum director Alana Jolley.

Offering unique art exhibits to entice visitors to return has been an aim for the mission in the last three years, Jolley said.

Some of the objects in the collection will be offered for sale, Bone said.

* OTHER ARTIFACTS

Early home furnishings, heirlooms also on exhibit at Mission San Juan Capistrano. Home Design. N1