Description:

Latin America, Mexico, 19th century CE. A breathtaking painting of El Alma de Maria painted on heavy gauge tin, capturing the mystical descent of the Holy Ghost upon Mary and the announcements of the Incarnation. The retablo is housed in a beautifully detailed, hammered tin, glass doored nicho. Mary is depicted young and beautiful wearing a crown of red roses, a pearl necklace and pearl earrings. Her hands crossed over her heart, she presses the white dove toward her. As is characteristic, she also holds staffs of lilies in her hands. Symbolizing her purity and exemption for worldly sins, the Virgin is dubbed a ""rose without thorns"" or a ""lily among thorns."" Hence lily is the flower most associated with her, a symbol of her purity. The garland of roses crowning her may allude to the rosary of the Blessed Virgin, a device commonly used during the Renaissance. The artist created a balanced composition and skillfully painted and modeled the Virgin's features. The blue background and light radiating from her head provide a bit of depth to the scene. A beautiful example! Size: retablo itself measures 4.5" W x 7" H (11.4 cm x 17.8 cm); nicho measures 9.125" W x 11.125" H (23.2 cm x 28.3 cm)

Provenance: Ex - Private Santa Fe, NM collection

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#115909

  • Condition: Some surface wear and bending commensurate with age. Pinhole at top center for hanging. Nicho shows normal oxidation but works quite well.

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August 3, 2016 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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$300 $999 $50
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$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
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