We are now standing before a work by Pedro de Mena, one of the finest sculptors from the Baroque school in Andalusia. This piece was sculpted between 1663 and 1673, quickly becoming one of the most notable and imitated representative iconographies by this native of Granada.

Saint Peter of Alcantara, from the 16th century, was the reformer of the Franciscan order and spiritual father to Saint Theresa of Jesus. He led a simple life of devotion, dedicated to prayer and meditation-two characteristics that Mena was able to capture perfectly in this sculpture.

Works by this artist are characterized by saints who express a sort of mysticism with a gaze cast heavenward, accompanied by gestures of repentance or praise. This sculpture shows a moment of intense contemplative ecstasy. In spite of a haggard face, sunken eyes and a wrinkled neck, the expressive strength is such that we forget the saint's worn out physical state. The habit which is carved in a realistic style is an example of good technique and refined aesthetic taste. The rustic, deteriorated look of the clothing is achieved thanks to a polychrome finish using a brush point.

Pedro de Mena managed to capture the religious face of Spain in the 17th century, which led to commissions not only from the church, but from members of civil society.