** 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. 19th century CE. A hand-carved and polychromed wooden rendering of the Virgin and Child, delineated in very high relief. Both Mary and the infant Jesus face the viewer. Mary places her left hand upon Jesus' shoulder in a maternal manner, while her son sits upon her bended knee and places his left hand over his chest. The Virgin wears a magnificent crown as well as beaded strands around her neck, a diamond-patterned garment over her chest, and a blue robe. Painted flowers flank the voluminous folds of drapery surrounding her knees, and stars adorn the fabric draped over her left knee. The figures are rendered in a charming naive style that was embraced by folk artisans of the period. A very special piece that demonstrates Anthony Quinn's admiration for Mexico's religious folk art tradition. Size: 3.5" L x 6.75" W x 28.75" H (8.9 cm x 17.1 cm x 73 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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#169273

Wear commensurate with age with abrasions and losses to peripheries and high-pointed areas as well as an age crack at the center of the lower section. The polychrome finish shows some wear/loss as well, but much of the coloration is still vivid. Both figures' right hands were carved separately and are now lost.