Ceramic statue of a Spanish fraternity member in white robes, Spain, 1860-1935

Late 19th or early 20th century ceramic statue of Spanish fraternity member in white robes. The fraternity processes through the streets of Seville, Spain during Holy Week.

Dressed in coloured robes with tall pointed hoods, each of these statues represents a religious brotherhood in Seville, Spain. From Palm Sunday until Easter Sunday, these brotherhoods process through the streets following large statues showing the events of Holy Week including the Last Supper and the crucifixion. The hoods are worn to show that the penitent, performing penance for their sins, is only known to God and no-one else.

It is thought that the statue was made for the tourist market in Spain and was purchased by Captain Johnston-Saint, one of Henry Wellcome’s collecting agents, in 1933.