The Vision of St. Anthony of Padua

In the baptistry of the Cathedral of Seville is one of Murillo's greatest works, "The Vision of St. Anthony of Padua." (Painted in 1656.) The hermit is seen in his cell, praying that the Christ may come to him, as He came to the fallen world, in the form of a little child; in the "Vision" his prayer is answered. We see the upturned face of the Saint aglow with the light which radiates from the beautiful Christ-Child and his company of cherubs, as he descends with extended arms in a halo of glory towards his waiting friend. The figure of St. Anthony was cut out of this picture on the night of November 4th, 1874, and carried away. When the vandalism was discovered, members of the Chapter informed the Government. Telegrams were immediately sent to the Consuls of all countries. It was found in New York, having been offered to a Mr. Schaus for fifty pounds. The United States Government returned it to Seville, and it was almost perfectly restored to its place in the picture by the great artist Martinez. There is a Murillo in Berlin that must be the sequel to this, for in it St. Anthony clasps the Holy Child to his heart with an expression of such love and peace that it says: "I have found the Christ."