Nicholas Herrera (b. El Rito, New Mexico, 1964). "San Isidro" painted retablo on wood, ca. 1990s. Signed "San Isidro / Nicholas Herrera" on the lower right. A beautiful retablo by Nicholas Herrera (also known as El Rito Santero or the Saint Maker of El Rito) painted on a hand-cut wooden panel that depicts San Isidro - Saint Isidore the Laborer - a patron saint of farmers. San Isidro was a simple farmer who, following an epiphany, took time to pray and commune with God while working in his master's fields. When San Isidro's fellow laborers complained that he was neglecting his work, his master came to the fields to observe him and was amazed to see Isidro, kneeling in prayer, while angels plowed the fields. Here Isidro is shown plowing the fields as an angel joins him, dropping seeds to the earth. In the picturesque landscape beyond, the sun rises above the hills (notice that the hills are labeled "E" for east) and several birds fly as rain falls from the clouds to nourish the land. Size: 11.25" L x 14.75" W (28.6 cm x 37.5 cm)

According to the Smithsonian American Art Museum, "Nicholas Herrera is known as El Rito Santero (the Saint maker of El Rito) in his New Mexico community. When he was young, he was mixed up in drugs, alcohol, guns, and fast cars and had several run-ins with the police. In 1990, however, he was involved in a serious car accident that changed his life. The accident put him in a coma, during which he saw a muerte (death figure) by his great-uncle Jose Ines Herrera at the end of a tunnel of light. He believes this image brought him out of the coma and that God intended for him to become a saint maker (Awalt and Rhetts, Herrera, Visions of My Heart, with essay by Charles Rosenak, 2003). Saint makers, or santeros, create devotional paintings and carvings of saints for use in churches and in private homes. Herrera makes crucifixes, death figures, and saints as well as sculptures inspired by modern issues such as police brutality and the dangers of nuclear power."

Provenance: ex-William and Jane Frazer, Aspen, Colorado, USA, acquired August 5, 1996; ex Leslie Muth Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA

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The surface of the hand-cut wood panel is slightly wavy, a charming effect, and there are nice gauge marks on the verso as well. There is a leather cord threaded through the upper end to serve as a hook for the piece. It is signed "San Isidro Nicholas Herrera" on the lower right.