Spanish Colonial inspired, Mexico, ca. 19th century CE. A finely painted retablo on copper depicting Santa Lucia, a popular saint throughout Europe who is rarely featured on Mexican retablos. Santa Lucia is shown here in the traditional manner as a young woman holding a palm leaf and a small dish with two eyes boldly looking outward. According to legend, Saint Lucia plucked out her eyes to relieve the suffering they caused a suitor of hers. However, it is more plausible that her name Lucia (light) inspired that depiction of eyes, as this symbol is interpreted as a lantern in European art. Saint Lucy is usually called upon to combat blindness; however in Mexico, the Archangel Raphael is usually favored for this purpose, making this example quite unusual. Size: 8.625" L x 6.75" W (21.9 cm x 17.1 cm)

Beyond this iconography, the painting demonstrates the artist's great skill in creating a naturalistic rendering of the subject's face and hands as well as modeling the figure and her drapery. In addition, the landscape scene provides wonderful depth to the composition. A special piece honoring Saint Lucy who was martyred for her Christian beliefs.

Provenance: private Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA collection

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#122447

Perforation at bottom, expected surface wear with areas of oxidation and pigment loss commensurate with age, some black tape on verso. Some wear and loss to frame as shown.