New Mexican Retablo, Virgin Mary with Large Candles

New Mexico, possibly by The Quill Pen Santero

Circa 1820 | Item 2123

This 19th century New Mexican retablo is possibly by the Quill Pen Santero. It is painted with tempera and gesso on a hand-adzed fine-sided pine panel. The scene depicts the Virgin Mary flanked by large candles, with an image of a crescent moon at her feet. I like the amount of empty, white space around Mary and how the candles appear be be bending towards her. The moon at the bottom is a particularly nice touch.