Saint Cajetan, Religious statue on Charles Bridge, Prague, Czech Republic
Saint Cajetan is a sandstone figure on Charles Bridge, positioned on a pyramidal column crowned with a flaming, winged heart. Angels holding fruit-filled vessels surround the central figure, completing the sculptural composition with rich symbolic detail.
The work was created in 1709 by sculptor Ferdinand Maxmilian Brokoff, commissioned by František of Lissau, the Prague Theatines provost. It became part of the religious decoration that adorned the bridge during this period.
The statue represents a figure central to Catholic reform movements, shown with angels and symbolic objects that reflect veneration by the Theatine community. Visitors can observe how religious sculptures on the bridge invite passersby to pause and reflect on faith.
The sculpture sits on the north side of Charles Bridge, offering visitors a clear view of the figure and its details. This location on the bridge makes it easily accessible when moving between Old Town and Lesser Town.
The figure holds an open book in the left hand and rests it on the bent leg, pointing to a connection with learning and scholarship. This unusual pose reveals the sculptor's attention to symbolic detail beyond simple religious representation.
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