An Early Wood Retablo of San Antonio With The Christ Child

Unknown, possibly Mexico

1800 - 1850 | Wood, Water Based Paints | Item 2390

This is a beautiful retablo, but I’m having a hard time placing its origin. The paints appear to be water based and the wood is likely pine. There is a candle burn mark at the base on the left half. All of these points are indicative of New Mexican retablos coming out of the first half of the 19th century. What is so different about it is the design and execution of San Antonio and the Christ Child as a departure away from what was being done in New Mexico at the time. The whole look, down to the detailing, is more suggestive of Mexico or Spanish Europe.

The colors are beautiful and the patina is amazing. San Antonio has a halo over his head and there are light rays eminating from the upper most left corner streaming onto the head of the Christ Child. The Child appears to be holding an orb like object in his left hand. San Antonio has a plant sprig in his left hand. Behind these two is a table with a book on it and a finely made upright chair. The chair has a red cushion, further suggesting a place unlike New Mexico. The back of the board shows a highly pine pitched surface. There is a major knot of wood exposed in the back, and this goes all the way through to present itself on the table adjacent to the book.