New Mexican Pine Retablo by AJ Santero, Circa 1825

New Mexico, AJ Santero

Active 1820 - 1840 | Pine, Water Based Paints | Item 2261

It’s rare to find a retablo done by the AJ Santero. Here we likely have Joseph holding the Christ Child. This is a bright and colorful retablo, with clean and complete faces of both Joseph and the Christ Child. They are both against a plain, cream painted background. Joseph is wearing beautiful blue, banded robe along with a blue cape. The Christ Child is wearing a red robe. The drama happens here with the fancy border. Red, black and warm tan all drape around the border as if they were tiers of curtains. They end at the bottom to give room for Josephs robe and feet. The upper two corners are further augmented with a large floral element. The surface here is all original with no restoration.

To see another example of AJ Santero, click here for Our Lady of Refuge for Sinners.