New World, Mexico, Spanish Colonial style, ca. 19th century CE. A simple, elegant, hand-carved wooden figure of Saint Joseph. He is portrayed with a sensitive face that looks downward, his facial features and hair naturalistically carved and painted. He has glass eyes that give him a more lifelike appearance. He wears a simple ankle-length robe of dark red with gilded hem and collar. On his feet are simple sandals of the same colors. He has an ornate, repousse silver halo and holds a tall wooden cross in one hand. Saint Joseph was a compassionate man, the stepfather of Christ and husband of Mary, a carpenter and devout member of his community. Size: 8.25" L x 9" W x 19.5" H (21 cm x 22.9 cm x 49.5 cm)
Santos played an important role in bringing the Catholic Church to the New World with the Spanish colonists. These religious figures were hand-carved and often furnished with crowns, jewels, and other accessories, usually funded by religious devotees, and were used as icons to explain the major figures - Mary, Christ, and the saints - to new, indigenous converts. Likewise, they served as a connection to the Old World for Spanish colonists far from home. They became a folk art tradition in the Spanish New World, from modern day Guatemala to as far north as New Mexico and Colorado. Many of them were lovingly cared for over the years, with repairs and paint added as they aged, and played an active part for a long time in the religious life of their communities.
Provenance: ex private Francis & Lilly Robicsek Collection, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
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#120705
Condition
Craquelure and small areas of loss to the paint as shown. Hands are repaired. The base is not original. Traces of wax to stabilize accessories. Some areas of overpainting.