Saint: San Ysidro/Saint Isidore

José Rafael Aragón, New Mexico, 1820-1862 Gesso, and water-soluble paint on wood 19 ½” x 6 ¾” History Collection NMHM, 2007.32.30

San Ysidro is a Spanish saint venerated as patron of farming. He lived a life of hard work and charity on a farm near Madrid until his death in 1130. Legend says that an angel ploughed his fields while he prayed, rewarding his piety. Variations depict San Ysidro ploughing, or simply holding his ox goad with oxen and angels as his attributes. His image is carried in procession through the fields as a blessing for a good harvest on his feast day of May 15th.