Latin America, Mexico, ca. 1872 CE. Painted on heavy gauge tin, this ex-voto depicts a gentleman named Don Francisco who is gravely ill and lying on his death bed covered in white linens, with two finely dressed men in black suits and top hats - as if attending his funeral - and two veiled women holding candles in prayer at the corner. To the left is Christ on the Cross and a miraculous vision of a child in blue. The text below generally translates, "In the year 1872, in the month of June, Don Francisco became gravely ill for 15 days, and seeing the edge of death I invoked the miraculous Child and Christ, and for his improving miraculously, I give this token of gratitude." Size: 12.75" W x 9.25" H (32.4 cm x 23.5 cm)
Ex-votos are little story paintings indicative of healing or blessing popular in Mexican visual culture. This tradition was inspired by the Greeks and was brought to the New World by the Spaniards. These votive paintings were hung in a church or placed adjacent to an image in order to celebrate and give thanks for the recovery of the donor from an illness or dangerous situation. In essence, ex-votos represent the spiritual or physical gains received by the donor. These paintings include hand painted passages that relate the details of the cure or the rescue. Typically, however, this commentary is replete with regional dialect and almost impossible to translate. Nevertheless, if you are familiar with the Spanish language, you will probably get the gist of these anecdotal paintings.
Provenance: ex-private Southern California, USA collection
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#138117
Condition
Perforation at top center. Normal creases/dents and surface wear with scuffs and abrasions, but inscription and imagery are still vivid.