Metal Figurative Paintings

This Retablo, "Shepherd with Vision of Virgin of Guadalupe" is an original oil painting on tin created by Jeronimo Crus, a Mexican folk artist. It translates roughly to: "I give thanks to the Virgin of Guadalupe with all my heart because I was able to find my way home after being lost in a rain storm. She sent me a lightning bolt which illuminated the road to my village." It depicts a farmer holding a lamb as the Virgin of Guadalupe hovers in the air in front of him. 10 1/4" x 8 7/8" art 15" x 13 3/4" frame The Spanish word retablo was derived from the Latin term retro tabula or “behind the altar” (retro for back and tabula for board, tablet; the Latin tabulum means table). It was originally used to designate elaborate wooden screens placed behind the main altar displaying sculptures, paintings, or both, of the main patron saints and other images of devotion. However, in nineteenth-century Mexico, sacred images painted on tin and displayed as an integral part of home altars were also referred to as retablos. The main function of displaying retablos in the Mexican home altars was the belief that a saint or deity would intervene in the life of the devotee, bringing good health, prosperity and protection against life’s ills. Paintings on tin plates are categorized according to the type of image represented, their purpose, location of display, function and artistic characteristics. Retablo Santo refers to depictions of different images of devotion such as those of patron saints, Jesus Christ and the many advocations of the Virgin Mary displayed in home altars for private worship. Contrary to retablo santo, the votive objects known as Retablo Ex-voto, are meant to be displayed in major pilgrimage sites as public testimonies for graces received. The retablo santo follow the canons of European art and Catholic iconography leaving very limited freedom for individual creativity. However, the retablo ex-voto depends primarily on the artist’s ingenuity and spontaneity. The Latin term ex-voto meant “the promise of,” “from a vow,” “out of vow,” or the “miracle of.” This concept of asking for favors and using art as payment and propaganda for received graces dates back to pre-historical times. It refers to the payment of a vow, made in a moment of distress, by offering to the divine figure by the intercessor, a painting or various other objects related to the grace received, in specific pilgrimage centers. They are of particular interest in recording the history and faith of the people. The ex-voto consists of three components. Most of the upper section of the composition contain the two of the three components: a painted scene depicting a miracle and, higher in this same space, the image of the invoked saint or deity. Often, at the bottom section, there is a written testimony of how the miracle occurred. The name of the artist is seldom included in the painting. The devotee commissions the retablo to a specialized artist called retablero (retablo maker) or milagrero (miracle maker). Hundreds and thousands of retablo ex-votos are left in shrines all over Mexico. The proliferation of religious centers and pilgrimage sites was established along the ancient Camino Real. Each of those sanctuaries were dedicated to a specific advocations to the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ, where pilgrims could visit and make their offerings. Among the most famous sanctuaries are: Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe...

An original cubist composition depicting the parable of Icarus by American modernist John Hatch. The painting housed in its original artist built frame is oil and gold leaf on mason...