DepartmentHispano

Our Lady of Guadalupe

NameRetablo

Maker Rafael Aragón (Hispanic American, 1796-1862)

CultureHispano

Dateearly 19th century

Place madeNew Mexico, United States, North America

Mediumwood, gesso, paint

DimensionsOverall: 24 1/2 x 21 1/4 in. (62.23 x 53.975 cm)

Credit LineGift of Mrs. Cyrus McCormick to the School of American Research 1/19/1949

Object numberA7.1949.10

DescriptionN.S. de Guadalupe with vignettes. Central figure rather naively drawn with fine swirling drapery but no modelled form in it. Four circles at corners were laid out by a compass; point marks & circular scratches visible in yeso. This regularity and precision is uncommon in NM santero work. The circles are ornamented with feathery scallops, and contain: upper l., Juan Diego in short tunic kneeling before Guadalupe, upper r., Juan D. standing at her left, lower left, Juan D. kneeling before her and holding a solid looking disc of red and blue dots, (roses?), lower r., Juan D. holding up the tilma with the picture of the Guadalupe on it. Although this vignette is badly damaged it is still apparent that the image is more like a real body, with head and crown rising above the tilma at top, and the supporting cherub holding her robe is trailing down to the cherub and skirt hem of the large central figure. Floral motifs fill in the open spaces of the compostion.