Description

This small figure of Saint Stanisłaus Kostka, the Polish Jesuit, forms part of the set of items inherited by the University when it took over the former Colegio de San Pablo when the Jesuits were expelled. 

The sculpture is very life-like, reminiscent of the work of Alonso de Mena in its treatment of fabric, its deep vertical folds that highlight the slight contrapposto of the figure, or the zigzag drape of the tunic from the waist down, tied with a characteristic Jesuit bow. 

Its polychrome draws on the decorative richness of plant motifs in the estofado technique finished in picado de lustre (a patterned effect achieved using small chisels or burins). This softens the visual harshness of the black Jesuit habit and lends it an extremely life-like appearance.

As is typical in representations of this saint, we find the face has childlike features, delicately drawn and steeped in gentleness and mysticism, which reflect the idealised archetype of the Novice that the figure brings to life. Indeed, it seems it was specially created to occupy a niche in the upper gallery of the Courtyard of the Novices at the former Jesuit Collegium – now, the Padre Suárez Courtyard of the Faculty of Law – where it remains to this day.