Description:

Latin America, Mexico, Spanish Colonial period, ca. 19th century CE. A beautiful tin-coated iron retablo painted with the image of the Virgin Mary and framed by a lovely nicho, also made from tin-coated iron as well as copper foil with a repousse vegetal design and glass painted with brightly colored flowers. The gentle Virgin is dressed traditionally with a blue veil over a red robe as she holds her hands together in prayer, softly turning her sweet visage to the left and gazing up toward the heavens. This depiction of Mary is commonly known as Our Lady of Sorrows (Mater Dolorosa in Latin). This image is one of the most important compositions in which Mary is depicted without Christ. She is represented as a mourning mother projecting a grieving attitude, her head covered with a blue veil, her hands clasped together, and a dagger pointed at her breast (now difficult to see). Size of nicho: 7.25" W x 12.5" H (18.4 cm x 31.8 cm); of retablo: 4.75" W x 7" H (12.1 cm x 17.8 cm)

Mater Dolorosa retablos present a sword piercing Mary's heart to reference Luke 2:35: "And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, 'Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed--and a sword will pierce even your own soul-- to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.'"

Provenance: ex-Asheville, North Carolina, USA collection; ex-private Colorado, USA collection

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#178120

  • Condition: Missing pin on right side of nicho and extending ornament on top of left side. Some bending to both nicho and retablo with surface wear and loss of pigments as shown. Rich patina throughout. Retablo is loose inside nicho. Suspension loop on verso for display.

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June 22, 2023 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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