Pablo Serrano (Spanish, 1908-1985). "St. Junipero Serra". Important modern brutalist-style monumental bronze sculpture. Depicts a standing full-length larger-than-life depiction of Saint Junipero Serra in his hooded Franciscan cassack with bare feet and arms outstretched in an embracing gesture. Boldly signed on base "Serrano". Index finger on figure's proper right hand detached but present. This sculpture was featured in the courtyard of the Spanish International Pavilion of the New York World's Fair of 1964-65. During the 18th century Franciscan friar Junipero Serra Ferrer established a chain of missions from the Baja peninsula northward through what is now California, extending the Spanish colonies into North America. In addition to being a Spanish national treasure and hero, he was beatified by Pope John Paul II on September 15, 1988, and canonized by Pope Francis on September 23, 2015 in Washington D.C. during his historic visit to the United States. [73" H x 30" D x 36" W].

Index finger on figure's proper right hand detached but present.