FROM PUEBLA, MEXICO:FABULOUS EXAMPLE OF MEXICAN FOLK ART! #125
VINTAGE LARGE SIZE 9"x7" (cut upper corners) HAND-PAINTED TIN MEXICAN RETABLO (EX VOTO), DATED 1941
THIS VINTAGE RETABLO is featuring the BELOVED MEXICAN ARTIST, FRIDA KAHLO in the left of the painting; AN OLD-FASHIONED GRAMOPHONE appears in the right side, and VIRGEN DE SOLEDAD appears in the center of the painting. Dated 1941. Signed by retablero.
TEXT (loosely translated from Spanish): THE MAID GREGORIA MARTINES THANKS WITH MUCH FERVOR VIRGEN DE SOLEDAD FOR THAT HER PATRON THE ARTIST FRIDA GIFTED HER AN APPARATUS WITH WHICH SHE CAN PUT ON HER FAVORITE MUSIC. MEXICO (CITY), 1941.
*Frida Kahlo (1907-1954) was aMexican painter and feminist iconFrida Kahlo was well-known for her generosity towards people working for her at her home "Casa Azul" in Mexico City, which is now a major museum
There is a hole provided for hanging on the wall.
The beautiful piece is in good vintage condition with some scratches/imperfections and traces of rust on the surface due to age; the backside was covered with zinc to prevent rust.LARGE SIZE: 9" X 7".(cut upper corners). Dated 1941.
A NOTE of HISTORY OF RETABLO FOLK ART:Votive paintings in Mexico go by several names in Spanish such as “ex voto,” “retablo” or “lamina,” which refer to their purpose. The painting of religious images to give thanks for a miracle or favor received, is part of a long tradition started in Europe. The form that most votive paintings take from the colonial period to the presentwas brought to Mexico by the Spanish. As in Europe, votive paintings began as static images of saints or other religious figures which were then donated to a church. Later, narrative images, telling the personal story of a miracle or favor received appeared. These paintings were first produced by the wealthy and often on canvas; also on wood; however, as sheets of tin became affordable, lower classes began to have these painted on this medium.The narrative version on metal sheets is now the traditional and representative form of votive paintings. Though some ex votos have been painted by the person receiving the miracle, most are made byretableros: commissioned artistswho interpret people's stories and produce these tokens of appreciation to be placed/hung on church walls or shrines, reinforcing the owner's devotion and gratitude.These lovely miracle paintings are in fact advertisements of the power and mercy of the saints.Due their proliferation, especially in the 18th and 19th century, many older votive paintings have left the places they were deposited and found their way into public and private collections.The collecting of tin retablos was begun by Mexican artistDiego Rivera, whose work, along with those of a number of other painters past and present, has been influenced by them.(See last photo, showing Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera's collection of vintage and antique retablos, on display at Casa Museo Frida Kahlo in Mexico City)
DETAILS:
- 9" X 7" cut upper 1941
- Signed by "retablero"
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