Spanish Colonial, Latin America, Mexico, ca. 20th century CE. An impressive tin retablo painted with the image of San Jose or Saint Joseph holding his adopted son, baby Jesus. Draped in a green robe and yellow mantle, the Joseph grasps a floral staff in one hand while tenderly pressing cheeks with the Christ child. A dover of the Holy Spirit is shown above between a pair of angels. Around the pair are planks of wood and carpentry tools, and a desert landscape can be seen in the far distance. The artist has taken care to depict the scene quite skillfully with gorgeous highlights in the soft folds of cloth that drape the figures as well as foreshortening used in Joseph's pose and perspective in the workshop and desert settings. Size: 12.25" W x 16.25" H (31.1 cm x 41.3 cm)

The cult of Joseph originated during the time of Luther when the Catholic Church was seeking out new heroes to meet the needs of the Counter Reformation. Prior to this time, Joseph was somewhat ignored. The Carmelite Order, under the direction of St. Theresa, rejuvenated the image of St. Joseph. Instead of being portrayed as an elderly man who watched over Mary, he grew to be depicted as a virile man in the prime of his life, full of youth and strength, yet portrayed as a gentle man of tenderness as we see in this example.

Provenance: private Oglesby, Illinois, USA collection, acquired in the 1990s from various Western US auction galleries

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#184262

Indecipherable signature in lower right corner and possible remains of inscription in upper right corner. Some light bending and wear to corners, but otherwise intact and excellent with good remaining pigments and craquelure to areas of paint.