Latin America, Mexico, ca. mid to late 19th century CE. A skillfully painted large antique Mexican tin retablo with rendering of Mater Dolorosa or N.S. de los Dolores - Sorrowful Mother or Our Lady of Sorrows. This image is one of the most important compositions in which Mary is depicted without Christ. She is represented as the mourning mother projecting a grieving attitude, her head covered with a blue veil, her hands clasped together and a dagger pointed at her breast - the key, distinguishing attribute of Mater Dolorosa. She stands before a table furnished with the crown of thorns and some nails used for the crucifixion as well as a curled page inscribed with the letters I.N.R.I (an acronym for Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews) as angels float above her visage. The scene references Luke 2:35. In this passage, Mary is told that a sword will pierce her soul upon presenting Christ to the temple. The artist of this example was a technically accomplished painter who could render the soft, smooth textures of the Virgin's skin and at the same time imbue the composition with stylistic design. A wondrous rendition! Size: 14"L x 10-1/8"W.

Provenance: Ex-Historia Antiques, Santa Monica, CA

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#109224

Some minor surface scratches and wear due to oxidation as shown. Pinholes at upper corners (one incomplete).