Nuestra Senora de Los Angeles

NameRetablo

Artist Artist Not Recorded

Place collectedNew Mexico, United States, North America

MediumTempera, gesso, wood

Dimensions56.5 cm long overall, 32 to 34 cm wide. Lunette at top 23.5 at widest x 13.5 cm. Pine panel hand adzed, 1 to 1.5 cm thick.

Credit LineMuseum of International Folk Art, Gift of the Historical Society of New Mexico, A5.1952,59

Object numberA5.1952.59

ProvenancePurchased with a lot of retablos from Julius Gans.

DescriptionFigure is of a statue of the Immaculate Conception, standing on elementary pedestal. she has a stiff hoop skirt of dark brown with thin over-film of gray-green. The bodice is of same color but not ornamented, while skirt has bands of black, white and red, and black and white motifs (indicating flowers) on the brown-green bands. The cloak is dark with white crosses (meant for stars) scattered over it, and red lining. She wears a wreath of roses and holds spread-winged dove, has dark halo. Five cherubs with red wings float among and above clouds indicated by dark gray dots and spirals (as in Palmer practice). Small swags at top of red, black, grey, brown and white, repeat the scrolls in lunette of same colors. These represent the scallop shell so much used in Spain and on tops of santo panels, confessonals, etc. Dark brown plain border frames all, with line across top divinding panel from lunette. This is in the delicate style of Rafael Aragon, as when he prepared his board and yeso sufficiently to permit his more detailed surface painting, and has all of the tasteful restraint and charm of which he is capable.