Latin America, Mexico, ca. mid-19th century CE. A finely painted large framed retablo on heavy gauge tin depicting San Francisco de Paula, the Italian saint who founded the Order of Minims or Hermits of Saint Francis in 1436 and infamously preached sermons about charity and humility to his pious followers. San Francisco de Paula is credited with miraculous cures, resurrecting the deceased, protection against fires, comfort for the maimed, the blind, and otherwise disabled, and preventing plagues. In Mexican paintings like this example, San Francisco de Paula is depicted as a friar with the word Caritas or Caridad, oftentimes surrounded by flames, in his vecinity. He received his name following a visit with his parents to the shrine of Saint Francis of Assissi. At a young age of fifteen, San Francisco de Paula became a hermit and elected to reside in a cave near Reggio. The artist depicted Saint Francisco de Paula in his dark brown habit, with his head surrounded by a glowing white halo suggestive of his miraculous powers. His visage features naturalistic facial features - ruddy cheeks, virtually palpable soft skin, and heart-shaped lips - and boasts an emotive expression of compassion. He holds a rosary in his right hand and a shepherd's staff with a curved end is cradled in his left hand - poised to perform his next miracle. Size: retablo itself measures 14" L x 10" W (35.6 cm x 25.4 cm); framed, 16" x 12.25" (40.6 x 31.1 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.

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#111748

Intact with minor surface wear and paint losses as shown.