Spanish Colonial Retablo of Jesus as the True Mystical Vine, also with His Precious Blood and Among Seven Lambs
Oil on tin, 19th c. Mexican.
This unusual portrait of Jesus as the True Mystical Vine also includes elements from the tradition of painting Jesus as “La mano poderosa” (the All-Powerful Hand). Here we see Jesus kneeling on a dark cushion among seven lambs (representing the seven sacraments as well as symbols of Christian souls) that is miraculously suspended atop a pool of his blood; and in scripture, the number seven often symbolises completion, perfection or holiness. Jesus is depicted as the True Vine: a grape vine grows out of his side, and he holds a bunch of grapes in his hands that reflect his words in the Book of John (15:5): I am the vine, you are the branches (the branches are thus his many followers). Grapes are some of Jesus’ strongest symbols as they represent his blood, the sacrament of the Eucharist, and the miracle of transubstantiation (the transformation of his blood into wine at the Catholic mass). The grapes in his hands appear to bleed, transforming themselves into the wine in a chalice below that further flows into the larger pool of blood among the lambs; and at least one lamb is nourishing itself on the blood. Jesus is also wearing a Crown of Thorns, causing him to bleed around his face and neck. This devotional image would have appealed to the faithful devoted to the Eucharist and Transubstantiation.
ca. 25cm x 35cm

Good overall--but there is a water stain that runs from the top to the bottom of the image.