Latin America, Mexico, ca. 1890 CE. A tender rendition of N.S. Refugio de Pecadores - Our Lady, Refuge of Sinners - painted on heavy gauge tin in vibrant hues and set in a lovely frame behind glass with a brass plaque attached at the bottom center that states, "SPANISH RETABLO CIRCA 1890". The Virgin wears a golden crown and supports a crowned Christ Child whose nude body is covered by a transparent robe. She dons a scarf that is drawn across her right shoulder, and her dark blue cape is initialed with her ciphers. The Christ child rests his right hand on her right arm and grips her right thumb with his left hand. It is a touching scene, and this rendition follows Rosa's tenets beautifully. Size: 7.875" W x 10.125" H (20 cm x 25.7 cm); 10.875" W x 13.25" H (27.6 cm x 33.7 cm) framed.
In 1719, a Jesuit missionary brought a version of a painting originally created for an altar formerly at Frascati, Italy, in the style of Guido or Salvator Rosa, to the city of Zacatecas in Mexico. The painting inspired the locals to adopt N.S., Refugio de Pecadores as their patron, and the composition of this retablo was modeled upon that painting's composition.
Provenance: ex House of Ancestors collection; ex private Galisteo, New Mexico, USA collection
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#148923
Condition
This retablo has not been examined outside the frame. It appears to have expected age wear with some scuffs, scratches, and minor stains. There is a small perforation at the top center. Frame is older but probably dates later than the retablo. It shows some usual age wear with slight losses to the decorative moulding and red fabric covering. There is a wooden board on the verso with an inscription that reads, "Grandma Evansa / Papa's Mother".