Latin America, Mexico, ca. 19th century CE. A fascinating tin retablo painting depicting Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus beneath the Crucifix during the Deposition of Christ, both dressed in turbans and long robes. Joseph of Arimathea was a wealthy and respected member of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish legislative council in Jerusalem, and a secret disciple who obtained permission from Pilate, the Roman governor, to take the body of Christ from the cross. Nicodemus was a Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin who came to Christ by night to receive instruction. Together they would respectfully lay Christ to rest. John brought a linen sheet and Nicodemus contributed myrrh and aloes to preserve the body. They took Christ's body down and swathed it with the spices enveloped in strips of cloth. In this retablo, Joseph is depicted holding a hammer, while Nicodemus is shown grasping the nails he removed from Christ's feet along with pincers. Size of retablo: 4.5" W x 6.6" H (11.4 cm x 16.8 cm) Size of frame: 11.8" W x 14.1" H (30 cm x 35.8 cm)

Provenance: ex-Keith Stanley collection, Professor Emeritus of Classical Studies at Duke University, North Carolina, USA

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#174702

Chipping to paint in corners and some bending to tin though form and imagery are still clear. Otherwise, intact and excellent with nice remaining pigments and fit with a fabric backing and custom frame.