**First Time At Auction**
Latin America, Mexico, ca. 19th century CE. An antique retablo painted on heavy gauge tin and depicting El Nino de Atocha. The tradition of the child may be traced back to a suburb of Madrid, where prisoners of the faith were said to have been visited and nourished by a young boy dressed as a wandering pilgrim. Because of the miraculous nature of the child's appearance, this subject has traditionally been interpreted as a manifestation of the Child Jesus. In this retablo, he is shown in his traditional capelet and brimmed hat, with a traveler's staff in his left hand and a basket of bread in his right. El Nino de Atocha stands between two vases of roses, and the color palette and style draw from an earlier Baroque tradition. Size: 7" W x 9.875" H (17.8 cm x 25.1 cm)
El Nino de Atocha, among the most popular subjects in Mexican retablo art, is the patron saint who frees prisoners, and performs miracles for travelers as well as those in danger. Imagery of the saint originated in Spain after the Moors invaded the town of Atocha. According to legend, a prison was filled with Christians lacking fundamental necessities like food and water. Only missionary children were permitted to visit these prisoners, and one day after family members prayed intensely, a child dressed as a pilgrim and carrying a basket, a staff, and a gourd full of water appeared. He then served everyone in the prison; however, miraculously, his basket and gourd were still full. This miraculous visitation led believers to regard him as the Infant Jesus.
Provenance: private Boulder, Colorado, USA collection
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#150845
Condition
Normal surface wear with expected scuffs/scratches and minor losses to pigmentation. Metal sheet is a bit wavy and has developed a nice warm patina on the unpainted verso. Two perforations at the top center presumably for attaching to the wall.