DepartmentHispano

El Santo Nino

NameSculpture

Artist Artist unrecorded

Place madeCordova, New Mexico, United States, North America

MediumWood, gesso, paint

DimensionsOverall: 22 13/16 x 6 11/16 x 3 3/4 in. (58 x 17 x 9.5 cm)

Credit LineMuseum of International Folk Art, gift of the Historical Society of New Mexico, A5.1959.2

Object numberA5.1959.2

ProvenanceFormerly in Spanish & Indian Trading Post (MacMillan)--bought by Miss Mary Cabot Wheelwright about 1925-28. In her home in Los Luceros this was always stood in a recess in the adobe wall, over the main door into the 2nd story sala. This room had a very high ceiling and tall doorway. As a result, the bulto was very seldom handled. Purchased by Historical Society for $100.00 from the board of Trustees of the Museum of Navajo Ceremonial Art, Santa Fe, after Miss Wheelwright's death. Items No. A5.1959.2 through A5.1959.30 were all purchased at the same time, ;under the same circumstances as outstanding specimens of New Mexico Spanish folk art. As these had no place in the Navajo Museum it was agreed to make this arrangement in order to keep the finer pieces of the colonial material together in the Historical Society's holdings in Museum of New Mexico. Photo: see SC Dept. foto file in Misc. 9-x, a group of santos, this item is at the bottom. (Print only, no neg.) Eliot Porter 4 x 5 color transparencies, 3 views, 1958 (MIFA). Exhibited in "Popular Arts of Colonial New Mexico," Museum INternational Folk Art, 1959.

DescriptionHas base, a sort of canopy flanked by wooden candles or tapers, painted and carved leaf forms, pediment of notched arch form with dove on it at top. Bulto: a Santo Nino in blessing pose, is pegged in recessed section of nicho; it is 13 cm high.