New World, Spanish Colonial, Mexico, ca. early 19th century CE. A tall, slender hand-carved wood santo on a multi-tiered repousse silver base. The figure depicted is the Virgin Mary. She wears a heavenly cream and gold robe, a black and gold dress, and a tin crown. In one hand, she holds a tin lily on a long stalk; in the other she holds the Christ Child, who wears matching cream and gold clothing, crown, and holds a globe. At her feet is a tin crescent moon. Size: 7" L x 7" W x 18.75" H (17.8 cm x 17.8 cm x 47.6 cm)

Worshippers have placed a cross and a medallion on chains around her neck.

This style of figure is known as the "Woman of the Apocalypse" and is recognized in many time periods and cultures, especially as part of the Catholic tradition of Marian veneration. It comes from Chapter 12 of the Book of Revelation, which describes, "a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars" (12:1). That this description describes Mary has been confirmed by multiple saints, Christian authors, and modern popes, and she is also known as the Virgin of the Apocalypse. Our Lady of Guadalupe is often depicted in this manner, with the crescent moon upturned beneath her feet; Rubens' baroque altarpiece painting, Mondsichelmadonna (Madonna on the Crescent Moon), is an example of this iconography from Freising Cathedral in Germany. This powerful symbolism has obviously spoken to many religious people throughout time.

Santos played an important role in bringing the Catholic Church to the New World with the Spanish colonists. These religious figures were hand-carved and often furnished with crowns, jewels, and other accessories, usually funded by religious devotees, and were used as icons to explain the major figures - Mary, Christ, and the saints - to new, indigenous converts. Likewise, they served as a connection to the Old World for Spanish colonists far from home. They became a folk art tradition in the Spanish New World, from modern day Guatemala to as far north as New Mexico and Colorado. Many of them were lovingly cared for over the years, with repairs and paint added as they aged, and played an active part for a long time in the religious life of their communities.



Provenance: Ex-Francis & Lilly Robicsek Collection, Charlotte, NC

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#120685

Areas of paint loss and overpainting. Wax in areas used for attaching accessories.