**Originally Listed At $500**

Latin America, Mexico, Spanish Colonial Period, ca. 19th century CE. A fascinating devotional retablo depicting Santa Librata in vibrant pigments on a heavy gauge tin with a piercing and cord at the top for suspension. The legend of Santa Librata is a certainly interesting: the daughter of a king, she was betrothed to a man she did not wish to marry, so she took a vow of celibacy to prevent the marriage. The day after she took the vow, she sprouted a beard, and her suitor departed. Her angry father had her crucified, and that is how she is typically depicted. Here she is framed by clouds as she is bound to a cross with ribbon, sans beard, and palms shoot out from behind her head. She wears elaborate robes and a crown of roses. Santa Librata had devotional Spanish and Mexican followers for more than 500 years. Icons such as Santa Librata were placed above the household altars to venerate these saints. The retablo became wildly popular in the 19th century due to the introduction of tin as an affordable medium. Size: 13.8" L x 10.125" W (35.1 cm x 25.7 cm)

Retablos, known as "laminas" in Mexico, are oil paintings, usually on heavy-gauge tin, depicting Jesus, the Virgin Mary, the Holy Family, the Holy Trinity, and any one of a canon of patron saints, created with an engaging blend of folk art and Baroque-inspired style deeply rooted in Spanish history. This unique tradition was introduced to Mexico by the Spaniards upon their arrival in the New World and was ultimately embraced by the indigenous population. The literal translation of the word retablo is "behind the altar," and the creation of this art form was motivated by a desire to worship a holy person or divine coterie in one's household and possess imagery that would ensure health, fertility, good fortune, and a rich harvest.

Provenance: ex-Lusher Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA

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Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#167034

Some creasing and buckling of corners and peripheries. Fading and chipping to pigments. Expected surface wear and oxidation commensurate with age. Suspension holes pierced on top and bottom. Descriptive label attached to verso.