Colonial School. Mexico. 18th century.

Colonial School. Mexico. 18th century. "Adoration of the Shepherds" Friar's Badge. Oil on copper. 11 x 9,5 cm. This is a monk's shield, which they wore tied to their habits through the small holes can be found on the four tabs on the copper plate. There are few surviving examples due to the monks' vow of poverty, and they are even rarer than nun's shields. The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) has a "Friar's Badge with the Nativity" in its collection (M.2005.59), circa 1768, after José de Páez. In that case, it is a badge from the Catholic order Brother of the Bethlehemite, who, as stated in LACMA's descriptive card, were "devoted to educating poor children and helping the sick". Around 1660, in Guatemala, the order was established "and quickly spread throughout Spanish America. Its founder, Pedro de San José de Betancourt (1626–1667), was profoundly devoted to the Virgin of Bethlehem and the mystery of the Nativity. José de Páez painted several badges with the Nativity, which members were prescribed to wear on their cape".   Reference bibliography: - LACMA. (n.d.). “Friar’s Badge with the Nativity”. https://collections.lacma.org/node/211274