San Rafael

NameSculpture

Maker Félix A. López (born 1942)

Date1994

(not assigned)Mesilla, New Mexico, United States, North America

MediumWood, leather, paint

Dimensions24 3/16 × 11 7/16 × 15 3/4 in. (61.5 × 29 × 40 cm)

Credit LineMuseum of International Folk Art, gift of Grace and Glenn Whitecotten, A.2018.79.1ab

Terms

value (economic concept)

Object numberA.2018.79.1ab

ProvenanceCommissioned by the donors in 1994.

DescriptionThis barefoot image of a dark-haired San Rafael, placed on an oval base, shows the saint in a long, pleated "dress" with scalloped collar and scalloped cuffs (painted rust red). In PL hand the saint holds, by a thin leather strap, a green, speckled fish. In the PR hand he holds a staff from which hangs a wooden gourd. The face has delicate features, arced eye-brows, and large green eyes with painted lashes. The long wings are sculpted with striations and scallops.