Los Matachines (Alcalde)

NamePainting

Maker Bernadette Vigil

CultureHispana

Date1987

Place madeAlgodones, New Mexico, United States, North America

Mediumoil, canvas, wood (frame)

Dimensions48 × 36 in. (121.92 × 91.44 cm)
55 × 42 × 1 1/2 in. (139.7 × 106.68 × 3.81 cm)

Credit LineMuseum of International Folk Art, gift to IFAF by Barbara W. Douglas, Jim G. Wofford and Sally W. Greenall in loving memory of their parents Letta and Keith Wofford, FA.2004.42.2

Object numberFA.2004.42.2

DescriptionThe top half of two Matachine dancers take up most of the painting. The figures wear traditional Matachine costumes. The one in front wears a red mantle over a blue under garment. He or she has a yellow layered scarf around the neck, carries a dance wand in the left hand and a cross-hatched rattle in the right and has a blue miter-like headdress with yellow fringe down over the face. The figure in back also wears a red mantle, has a layered yellow scarf around the neck, and has red miter-like headdress with yellow hanging fringe. Design elements in the miters and wand are crosses, stars, and ojos. In the background are a piñon studded hill and a full moon against a dark blue sky. Signed and dated in the lower right.