Retablo

NameRetablo

MediumTempera on yeso on hand-adzed pine panel

Dimensions61 to 61.5 x 23 to 24 cm, 1 to 2 cm thick

Credit LineGift of the Historical Society of New Mexico

Object numberA5.1953.1

DescriptionCrucifix, "Esquipulas" type with two mourners below, and with seven-headed serpent lettered with names of seven deadly sins at foot of cross. Left side split off and lost so that second mourning figure presumably San Joaquin) is lost. Dark red background, light green cross, (another Esquipulas trait), corpus has long hair, exaggerated pouf on loin cloth, skull below feet. Virgin in advocation of Dolores has one sword and halo on stem. At foot of cross is single-tailed, seven-headed serpent, each neck lettered in old Spanish script, phonetically spelled in some cases, as follows: (left to right), "gula, inbidi, peresa. (illeg), avaricia, lujuria, ira." The last three are properly spelled, the first three ought to read "hula, envidia,pereza." In order the vices or sins are: "gluttony, envy, sloth, ? , "the missing sin is pride, avarice, lust, wrath. To my recollection I have not seen any other santero representation of the seven deadly sins, so popular in mediaeval and even in 19th century symbolism. Style of Calligraphic painter, in; distinctively and positively expressed manner. Light corners on border area connected by panels of incised floral elements at top, bottom and right side, probably same as lost left side. No data, old red # HS 5.44.