Latin America, Mexico, ca. 19th century CE. Finely painted on wood with a jewel-tone palette, this dramatic composition features a bearded Santiago Matamoros, also known as Saint James The Greater or Santiago the Moor Slayer, riding his white horse, donning red vestments with gold decorative motifs, and a feathered pilgrim hat. The Moor Slayer triumphantly raises his bloody sword as his white horse is trampling over several slain Moors below. Holy light streams over Santiago from the upper left of the blue skies above. A striking painting of this triumphant Moor Slayer! Size: 10.125" W x 13.125" H (25.7 cm x 33.3 cm)
This figure is based on a prototype found in European paintings of Santiago Matamoros - triumphant upon a white horse, dressed in lavish vestments, wielding an intimidating sword and trampling over many severed heads of Moors. Similar iconography also constitutes the central section of a 7 panel altarpiece in the Chapel of the Alcazar of Segovia. Santiago Matamoros was one of Christ's disciples who is believed to have founded the Christian church in Spain. In addition, a myth of the Middle Ages describes how years after his death, Santiago Matamoros miraculously resurfaced in the battle of Clavijo in 844. During this battle he assisted the Christian King Ramiro I of Asturias in his victory over the Moors who ruled Spain between 711 and 1492.
Provenance: ex-private Oakland, California, USA collection, acquired by current owner at auction
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#154494
Condition
Minor abrasions to obverse, peripheries, and verso, with very light fading to some areas of pigmentation, otherwise intact and very good. Great remains of original painted details throughout. Metal wire on verso for mounting purposes.