Doesn’t the sight of the San Francisco Javier Sculpture evoke a sense of serenity? This sculpture, a creation of Pablo Serrano, stands as a tribute to San Francisco Javier. He was the patron saint of the local parish.
In 1969, the Jesuit religious order established a significant religious and educational complex here. It was in the heart of Ventilla. This was one of the city’s most humble neighborhoods. Architect Rodolfo García-Pablos designed the project. He created a square urban space slightly elevated from the streets. Magnolia and Mártires de la Ventilla bordered it. This space served as a public plaza. It provided access to the parish.
The San Francisco Javier Sculpture faces the plaza’s entrance. It rests on a concrete cube. This bestows urban and artistic value upon a sector of Madrid. It previously lacked such distinctions.
The statue depicts San Francisco Javier. It is crafted in an expressionistic style characteristic of Pablo Serrano. The figure emerges from geometrically shaped matter. These facets converge into a pure cubic volume at the base. This cube rests on a simple pedestal. The pedestal is also a concrete cube. It displays the imprint of wooden formwork. It appears to hover slightly above the ground.
The San Francisco Javier Sculpture is a full-length figure. It is made of bronze. The artwork is of high quality. An inscription on the lower back reads: CODINA HERMANOS / FUNDIDORES MADRID.
The pedestal measures 1.20 x 1.20 x 1.20 meters. The statue’s dimensions are 3.60 x 1.50 x 1.50 meters. The sculpture is made of metal. Specifically, it is bronze. The property is owned by the Catholic Church.
Another sculpture of San Francisco Javier exists in Nuevo Baztán Madrid. José Benito Churriguera created it in the 18th century. It adorns the facade of the Iglesia de San Francisco Javier. A wooden sculpture of San Francisco Javier is housed in Alcalá de Henares Madrid.
San Francisco Javier was an early member of the Society of Jesus. The life-size wood carving portrays him. It embodies an idealized realism typical of Spanish sculpture. The saint holds a missionary cross. His expression is serene and determined. His dark habit contrasts with the estofado’s plant ornamentation. This sculpture is based on an 18th-century image of San Ignacio. It shares similar techniques and decorations. It even has glass eyes.
The San Francisco Javier Sculpture before you represents faith. It stands as a testament to artistic expression. It enriches the urban landscape of Madrid. Take a moment to appreciate the artistry and history embodied in this remarkable sculpture.