Lot 98
Spanish Colonial, Mexico, ca. 1875 CE. A finely painted framed retablo on heavy gauge tin depicting Saint Joseph (San Jose) tenderly cradling the infant Jesus in his right arm, while cradling a beautiful blooming staff, his characteristic attribute, in his left elbow. San Jose dons a golden crown, and the heads of both the infant Jesus and Joseph are united by a glowing surround of golden rays. The baby Jesus holds a cross in his left hand, representing his Christian dominion. Both are dressed in flowing, jewel-toned vestments, the folds of the draperies meticulously delineated. The artist of this retablo clearly had a command over his technique; we see a wonderful range of textures from billowy fabrics to soft supple skin. The pair are painted up close the picture plane, making for a privileged view of every detail. A wondrous retablo of rich symbolism and remarkable artistry and technique! Set within an antique, red-stained wood frame, most likely custom made for the piece. Size: retablo itself measures 19-1/2" x 13-7/8" (49.5 x 35.3 cm); framed 23-1/2" x 17-3/4" (59.7 x 45.1 cm).
The cult of Joseph originated during the time of Luther when the Catholic Church was seeking out new heroes to meet the needs of the Counter Reformation. Prior to this time, Joseph was somewhat ignored. The Carmelite Order, under the direction of Saint Theresa, rejuvenated the image of Saint Joseph. Instead of being portrayed as an elderly man who watched over Mary, he grew to be depicted as a virile man in the prime of his life, full of youth and strength, yet portrayed as a gentle man of tenderness as we see in this example.
Provenance: Ex-private T. Jones collection, New York, NY
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#110630
- Condition: Expected surface wear and bending with areas of oxidation and paint loss. Perforation at top center presumably for suspension at one time. Minor wear to the frame.
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