VTG HP MEXICAN TIN RETABLO SAN SEBASTIAN HELPS WOMAN FINALLY HAVE BABIES in 1908

Description: FROM PUEBLA, MEXICO: FABULOUS EXAMPLE OF MEXICAN POPULAR FOLK ART! #45 VINTAGE LARGE SIZE 9" x 7" HIGHLY DETAILED HAND-PAINTED TIN MEXICAN RETABLO (EX VOTO), DEPICTING AN INTERIOR SCENE, COMPLETE WITH A FOLDING SCREEN AND A CAT, featuring WOMAN IN BAD, HUGGING HER NEWBORN TWINS, with HER MOTHER and MIDWIFE ATTENDING TO HER. SAN SEBASTIAN APPEARS IN THE UPPER LEFT CORNER. DATED 1908*. SIGNED BY "RETABLERO" *Judging by style and condition of the retablo, most likely, painted in mid - 1920's: it is customary to dedicate a retablo to a patron saint who saved or helped a family member sometime in a distant past. TEXT (loosely translated from Spanish): GUMERSINDA PANTOJA SUFFERED A LOT IN HER HEART FOR NOT BEING ABLE TO HAVE BABIES, FOR WHICH SHE PRAYED TO SAN SEBASTIAN WHO HELPED HER GET PREGNANT AND GIVE BIRTH TO EVEN 2 BABIES, FOR WHICH SHE GIVES INFINITE THANKS. PUEBLA, 1908. SIGNED BY RETABLERO. There is a hole provided for hanging on the wall. The piece is in vintage condition; there are expected surface imperfections due to age; major rusting in back. A NOTE of HISTORY OF RETABLO FOLK ART: Votive paintings in Mexico go by several names in Spanish such as “ex voto,” “retablo” or “lamina,” which refer to their purpose. The painting of religious images to give thanks for a miracle or favor received, is part of a long tradition started in Europe. The form that most votive paintings take from the colonial period to the present was brought to Mexico by the Spanish. As in Europe, votive paintings began as static images of saints or other religious figures which were then donated to a church. Later, narrative images, telling the personal story of a miracle or favor received appeared. These paintings were first produced by the wealthy and often on canvas; also on wood; however, as sheets of tin became affordable, lower classes began to have these painted on this medium. The narrative version on metal sheets is now the traditional and representative form of votive paintings. Though some ex votos have been painted by the person receiving the miracle, most are made by retableros: commissioned artists who interpret people's stories and produce these tokens of appreciation to be placed/hung on church walls or shrines, reinforcing the owner's devotion and gratitude. These lovely miracle paintings are in fact advertisements of the power and mercy of the saints. Due their proliferation, especially in the 18th and 19th century, many older votive paintings have left the places they were deposited and found their way into public and private collections. The collecting of tin retablos was begun by Mexican artist Diego Rivera, whose work, along with those of a number of other painters past and present, has been influenced by them. (See last photo)DETAILS:9"X 7 1/4"Hand-painted in MexicoDated 1908 (most likely, mid- 1920's)

Price: 58.5 USD

Location: New Milford, New Jersey

End Time: 2024-05-31T02:11:16.000Z

Shipping Cost: N/A USD