San Juan Nepomuceno
NamePainting
Maker
A. J. Santero
(Active 1820s)
Date1820s
Probably madeNew Mexico, United States, North America
MediumWood (pine), tempera, gesso
Dimensions23 5/8 × 11 13/16 in. (60 × 30 cm)
Credit LineMuseum of International Folk Art, gift of Mrs. Raymond E. Lee in memory of General Raymond E. Lee, A8.1959.2
Object numberA8.1959.2
DescriptionTempera over this santero's usual creamy, gritty gesso. This is an extremely good example of "A.J." as it includes his characteristic usage of reddish brown instead of black for features, outlines and "black" garments; also the eye type, his fondness for halos which are rectangular or oval, (this one has a flat top, two upper corners and slightly outcurved sides), his elementary drawing and sense of good color and pattern on the panel, using the least amount of design elements. In fact his two panels of the Three Orders of St. Francis of Assisi show that taking his subject from a professionally made engraving confused his design sense and as a result cluttered his composition.
