Latin America, Mexico, ca. 1875 CE. A finely painted retablo on heavy gauge tin depicting Saint Joseph (San Jose) walking hand in hand with the Christ Child in a pastoral landscape. This is an unusual composition. More typically, retablos show San Jose cradling the infant Jesus, presented close to the picture plane. Of course, both types present tender moments between father and son. In this example, Saint Joseph and Jesus are dressed in flowing vestments, Saint Joseph in his traditional green, red, and yellow robes and Jesus in blue, the folds of their draperies meticulously delineated. San Jose holds his most familiar attribute, a beautiful blooming staff, in his left hand; while the Christ child carries a pilgrim basket. The artist of this retablo clearly had a command over his technique. The pair are set within a lovely landscape with rolling verdant hills and azure blue skies, making for a fabulous rendering of depth in the scene. A wondrous retablo of rich symbolism and remarkable artistry and technique! Size: 10" L x 7" W (25.4 cm x 17.8 cm)

Retablos, known as ‘laminas’ in Mexico, are small oil paintings, usually on heavy-gauge tin, depicting Jesus, the Virgin Mary, the Holy Family, the Holy Trinity, and a canon of patron saints, created with an engaging blend of folk-art and Baroque-inspired style deeply rooted in Spanish history. This unique tradition was introduced to Mexico by the Spaniards upon their arrival in the New World and was ultimately embraced by the indigenous population. The literal translation of the word retablo is "behind the altar," and the creation of this art form was motivated by a desire to worship a holy person or divine coterie in one's household and possess imagery that would ensure health, fertility, good fortune, and a rich harvest.

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

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#111744

Incised outline surrounds San Jose. Letters scratched on Saint Joseph's crown and the sky behind. Otherwise normal surface wear with minor nicks to right periphery as shown.