19th Century Spanish Colonial Our Lady of Guadalupe Retablo

About the Item

A stunning and rare Spanish Colonial Our Lady of Guadalupe retablo painting with beautiful patina, displayed in an altarpiece shrine. Handcrafted around present day New Mexico during the early to mid 19th century, the unframed antique religious devotional retablo oil painting on tin has remarkable detail and strong vibrant colors. Depicting Catholic Patron Saint Our Lady of Guadalupe, a praying Blessed Virgin Mary with hands held together in prayer pose, tilted head, full gently curving body, surrounded by a mandorla comprised of golden rays. Encased in a pine wood shrine with ornate sculptural embossed metal trim along the upper edge and sides, styled like reaching hands, and decorated with four silver tone relief accents, featuring Christ, the heart and the cross. The reverse side has a later added self-leveling hanger for wall hanging or mounting over a doorway as an overdoor. Circa 1820 to 1850. Orgin: The area this was made went through many changes during that time period, from a series of religious outposts called Spanish Missions in the Province of Santa Fe de Nuevo México, established by Franciscan friars under charter from the Spanish Empire and the government of the Viceroyalty of New Spain, to Mexican Independence, to a territory of the United States. Condition: Given the age of this painting, it's in outstanding condition. Having a nicely aged patina, minor distressing and loss, slight bending at corners, all consistent with age. Dimensions (approx): Shrine: 11.5"H, 11"W, 3"D. 1lb total Retablo: 6.25"H, 4.5"W About / History: Long a popular folk art form in colonial Spanish and Mexican culture, retablos are devotional paintings depicting divine icons and symbols, particularly Catholic patron saints. Chosen as representations and guardians of particular occupations and life situations, patron saints are often turned to in times of need or to express gratitude for a blessing. Displayed on a church altar, in homes, or carried during travel to honor the saint or given as gifts of fortune and inspiration, retablos reflect a beloved historical tradition and cultural artistry. Mexican retablos of the 19th century are small oil paintings, usually done on tin, by folk artists with minimal artistic training. The Spanish word retablo is derived from the Latin retro-tabulum, meaning "behind the table," that is, behind the altar. In the European middle ages, the term was used to refer to the large screens that were placed behind altars in churches.These wooden altar screens were decorated with paintings, wood carving, and sculptures, becoming increasingly ornate over time. Many churches in colonial Mexico had such altar screens. Eventually, the term retablo came to be used in reference to individual paintings on wood, canvas, or other materials. In early colonial Mexico, wealthy Spanish or criollo (a person born to Spanish parents in the New World) patrons commissioned religious paintings on canvas. In the 18th century, copper was also used as a surface medium. At that time, the middle classes made do with cruder paintings on wood. Late in the 18th century, British metallurgists developed a technique to bond tin to iron sheets. This provided a new surface medium for Mexican folk painters, who began to use tin-plated sheets for their religious paintings of saints, or retablos, in the 1820s. By around 1830 tin had replaced copper and canvas as the preferred surface for retablo paintings, and these paintings were now purchased by middle and lower-class mestizo families rather than the wealthy classes. The folk artists who produced retablos in the 19th century painted in a baroque manner, long since superseded by neoclassical and romantic styles in the world of academic painting. They sought to use dramatic poses, chiaroscuro, and realistic portrayals to convey their religious feelings. However, these attempts were naïve, conventionalized, and very often unsuccessful. But of course, the artists and their patrons were not interested in the fashions of academic art. They sought to produce an image to stimulate devotion that was readily identifiable and lovingly decorated. Despite their lack of training, these artists could produce ingenious and spontaneous pictures that conveyed a strong feeling of devotion. The retablos were painted in a limited range of colors, using reds, blues, and dark yellows, plus flesh tones and an occasional dark green, all of which were utilized by the artist of this painting. Our Lady of Guadalupe History: In 1531, the Virgin Mary appeared to Mexican native Juan Diego, offering her help if Juan would ask the bishop to build a chapel in her honor on the hill where she now appeared. Juan did as he was asked, but the bishop demanded a sign from the Virgin. The following morning, she appeared and healed Juan's dying uncle and provided Juan with roses in winter. He wrapped them in his tilma and ran to the Bishop. Opening his cloak to the bishop, the roses fell, replaced with the image of the Virgin Mary. The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe was built and 10 million natives were converted in the next 10 years. The Aztec practice of human sacrifice was forever ended and an era of peace began. Our Lady of Guadalupe is recognized as the patron saint of Mexico and the Americas.

Dimensions:

Height: 11.5 in (29.21 cm)Width: 11 in (27.94 cm)Depth: 3 in (7.62 cm)

Style:

Spanish Colonial (In the Style Of)

Materials and Techniques:

Paint,Pine,Tin,Hand-Crafted

Place of Origin:

North America

Period:

19th Century

Date of Manufacture:

circa 1820-1850

Condition:

Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Minor structural damages. Minor fading. Given the age of this painting, it's in outstanding condition. Having a nicely aged patina, minor distressing and loss, slight bending at corners, all consistent with age.

Seller Location:

Forney, TX

Reference Number:

1stDibs: LU5977226979472

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