Spanish Colonial, Mexico, ca. 17th or 18th century CE. A magnificent early colonial portrayal of the Virgin of Remedies (N.S. de los Remedios) created in oil on jute with the original stretchers. According to James Caswell of Historia Antiques, "Her devotion in New Spain dates to the time of the Conquest of Tenochtitlan when, during a hasty retreat the Conquistadores hid her statue in a thicket of cactus. When relative calm was restored the statue appeared levitating above a maguey plant. Portrayed by early Mexican painters hovering over this sacred Aztec plant she became identified with the Aztec goddess of pulque and so another quintessentially Mexican representation of the Virgin Mary was born. For centuries she rivaled Guadalupe as Mexico's top patroness, only losing out when the Spanish Loyalists rallied beneath her to oppose the Independence struggle of 1810. A magnificent colonial painting of our lady festooned in gilt detail and brocade finery. Size: 22" x 30"

The Trinitarian Order founded in the late 12th century coined the title Our Lady of the Remedios. During the Spanish conquest of the Americas it became a favored devotion of the conquistadors. According to the legend, one of the conquistadors was carrying a statue of the Virgin Mary hidden under a maguey plant. His plan was to honor her if he survived the onslaughts of the Aztecs. During one of the battles, the Spaniards reported seeing a young girl throw dirt into the eyes of the Aztecs to assist the Spanish. Thus connected with the conquistadors, this image of the Virgin became their patroness.

Provenance: Ex-Historia Antiques, James Caswell, Santa Monica, CA.

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#109245

Good overall with wear and damage consistent with age.