18th C. Spanish Colonial Wood Santo - An Evangelist

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Ancient | Ethnographic Art Through The Ages

By Artemis Gallery

Mar 4, 2021

Set Reminder 2021-03-04 10:00:00 2021-03-04 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Ancient | Ethnographic Art Through The Ages https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/ancient-ethnographic-art-through-the-ages-6467
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• Lot Description
  Latin America, Mexico, ca. 18th century CE. A breathtaking santo depicting one of the Four Evangelists, either Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John, donning red, green, and gilded robes and a heavy gauge tin halo. He holds his Gospel in his right hand and a quill in his left, the attributes of a writer. This santo is impressively large in scale and finely carved; every cascading fold of his robes and curl of his coiffure is expertly delineated. Size: 10" W x 32" H (25.4 cm x 81.3 cm)
  
  While we know this santo depicts one of the four Evangelists, identifying exactly which one is somewhat difficult because the artist did not present any of the symbols associated with each Apostle; the angel for Matthew, the lion for Mark, the ox for Luke, or the eagle for John. This said, we can probably rule out John, as he is typically shown without a beard being the younger brother of Saint James. The most educated guess would be that this santo represents Matthew, given that he is holding writing implements and is the author of the first Gospel. What the artist did wish to communicate was the Evangelist's pensive state, as his facial expression, with its thoughful eyes and wrinkled forehead, connotes that he is mid-thought or perhaps having an epiphany. Pausing for a moment, his entranced state suggests that the saint is experiencing a vision. Such imagery renditions would have endeared the Church to followers during the Spanish Colonial period.
  
  Provenance: private Francis & Lilly Robicsek Collection, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA, acquired second half of the 20th century
  
  All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
  
  A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
  
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  #119802

  Condition

  Stable age cracks on the back and down torso continuing to the Gospel and wrist where it shows some separation and down the red robe just past the knee. Expected surface wear with craquelure and pigment losses as shown.
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