** A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this artwork will be donated to the Anthony Quinn Foundation, whose mission is to advocate for the important role arts education plays in personal development and in the overall improvement of social, economic and cultural systems. Learn more at aqfoundation.org **

Latin America, Mexico, ca. late 19th century CE. A large folding polychrome wooden retablo, skillfully hand-carved and hand-painted, presenting two religious scenes. The left panel depicts a Pantocrator Christ holding a holy Gospel in his left hand and making a gesture of benediction with the fingers of his right hand. He is surrounded by symbols of the four Evangelists - the Angel for St. Matthew; the Eagle for St. John; the Lion for Saint Mark; the Ox for Saint Luke. The right panel depicts a Crucifixion scene with Jesus on the Cross flanked by the Virgin Mary and Saint John the Evangelist with a pair of seraphim angels above. The two panels are joined by metal hinges, so that the retablo can open and close. A sizeable and beautifully executed sacred composition rendered with fine carving and jewel toned hues against a cerulean blue ground. A wonderful piece that demonstrates Anthony Quinn's admiration for Mexico's religious folk art tradition. Size (opened): 27" W x 22.5" H (68.6 cm x 57.2 cm); (closed): 6" L x 13.25" W x 22.5" H (15.2 cm x 33.7 cm x 57.2 cm)

Anthony Quinn's admiration for folk art - art of the people - may be traced to his childhood. "Throughout his life, Anthony Quinn was steeped in creativity. When he was only two years old, Anthony's mother used to craft hand-sewn handkerchiefs by drawing pictures on linen, embroidering and selling them to help feed the family. His father too displayed artistic talent. He played Mexican folk songs on the guitar and sang when the family would gather after dinner every night. Their first family home was a mere shack in the poor Mexican neighborhood of East Los Angeles, but his mother always kept the dirt floors swept clean and his father painted some of the windows with a beautiful landscape to hide the view of the neighborhood trash bins just outside. From these experiences, and many others, Anthony learned that regardless of how poor he was his life could be made richer through the arts." (Anthony Quinn Foundation - "The Legacy of Anthony Quinn")

Provenance: ex-private collection of actor Anthony Quinn and his wife Katherine, Bristol, Rhode Island, USA acquired prior to 2000

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Wear commensurate with age showing abrasions and losses to peripheries and high-pointed areas as well as a few age cracks. The polychrome finish has some wear/loss as well, but much of the coloration is still vivid. The two panels were carved separately and joined via iron hinges so that the piece can open and close. Hinges show nice age patina.