In 1776, Father Junipero Serra founded what he considered the jewel of all Missions. He named the seventh Mission in California after his favorite patron saint, San Giovanni da Capestrano. Because it was a Spanish Mission, it was given the Spanish name; San Juan Capistrano.
A wonderful book written by Father William Krekelberg, Mission San Juan Capistrano, states “Within a few months Father Serra ordered a painting of the Mission’s patron, San Juan Capistrano.
He was very particular about it, suggesting its size, color (a gray Franciscan habit, not a blue one), and even the Mexican artist- he preferred the work of Jose de Paez. He asked that it be sent first to his home mission at Monterrey because, ‘It would give me much pleasure to see it.’ This painting arrived before the summer of 1777 and is hanging in the Mission Basilica”.
This beautiful painting is thought to be the most historic of all the Mission’s paintings and was sent out for conservation in September 2013.
The conservation process of San Juan Capistrano by Jose de Paez, c. 1775, began with the removal from the Basilica in the spring of 2013 where it had been on display since 1986. Long time Mission painting conservator, Aneta Zebala was retained to conduct the treatment.
The painting had become dirty after the decades of display and a pane of glass was permanently adhered to the painting’s surface with adhesive tape.
It was in otherwise stable condition. Zebala reported finding a significant amount of over paint from previous conservation efforts and a varnish layer that had become discolored. The discoloration was removed along with a light surface cleaning to improve and reveal the painting’s original color. The painting was returned to the Mission after treatment had been completed earlier this year. It now is the centerpiece of a new retablo in the nave of the Basilica.
Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano is located at 31522 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. For more information about the Basilica visit http://www.missionparish.org and/or the jewel of all Missions visit: missionsjc.com.
Donate