The original of this image of St. Anthony was hand painted on a 42”x 72” buffalo hide by a Franciscan missionary in the 17th century in what is now New Mexico. Silkscreen artist Martha Ann Wallker created a print based on the original. My mother, Stella Marie Schmitt Ely (1912-1946) wrote a poem describing the print. The print is in a book Sacred Paintings on Skin published in 1944 by the Museum of New Mexico Press. Paintings were done with native vegetable dyes on animal hides were prepared as graphic teaching aids. The Friars could easily roll them and carry them on to the next stop on their missionary journeys.
St. Anthony of Padua
The Infant Jesus stands within his arms,
And in his hand a lily sheaf he bears;
Saint Anthony is rightly pictured so,
For pure in heart and soul was he.
He was a learned man, imbued with zeal,
And taught in many universities
Until, like Francis, he went forth among
His fellow men and spoke to them of all
The miracles and marvels of his God.
Twas when one day he sought to tell
The miracle of God made man that there
Appeared upon his book the Infant Christ.
A man called Bobadilla uttered doubt
That God indeed dwelt bodily within
The Eucharist and called for proof.
Saint Anthonly who in procession bore
The Host, bade Bovadilla’s mule to kneel –
And to his knees the humble creature fell
While all looked on and marveled at the sight,
And Bonvadillo sought in vain to tempt
Te beast with oats he held beside his head.
The patron of the poor, Antonio
Of Padua is called, and for a score
Of things his fame has spread.
His aid is sought to find lost articles;
And those with child beseech his guardianship;
The men who sail on ships ask him to guide
The safe to port, and through his grace with God
He smooths the troubled seas and shows them too
The miracle of faith
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