Description:

Mexico, 19th century. In ex-votos and retablos Saint Joseph is always shown in the company of either the Virgin or the Christ Child as we see in this example. We see the traditional representation here. Saint Joseph dons a golden crown and assumes a standing pose, holding the Child and a flowering staff. He wears a green robe and yellow mantle, colors that symbolize new life, marriage, and fertility. Joseph is the patron saint of the family, of fathers, husbands, carpenters, and all who seek a home. Ex-votos are little story paintings that tell us so much about the values of Mexican peoples and their visual culture. These votive paintings were hung in a church or placed adjacent to an image in order to celebrate and give thanks for the recovery of the donor from an illness or dangerous situation. In essence, ex-votos represent the spiritual or physical gains received by the donor. These paintings include hand painted passages that relate the details of the cure or the rescue. Typically, however, this commentary is replete with regional dialect and almost impossible to translate. Nevertheless, if you are familiar with the Spanish language, you will probably get the gist of these anecdotal paintings. Some of the words on this example are blurred and difficult to decipher; however, in general, the text explains that this ex-voto represents worshippers praying to a retablo of San Jose. 5.00"W x 7.00"H (12.70 W x 17.78 H cm) Provenance: Ex-Ramon Kelly collection, Denver. All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

  • Condition: Some wear to surface and holes once used to mount the piece. Intact and fair condition.

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December 5, 2014 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$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
$200,000 + $25,000