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Mexican Retablo Painting Retablo art was in danger of dying out after the Mexican Revolution when it was, if not revived, at least given importance by Frida Kahlo, who is reported to have actually made a practice of stealing retablos from churches, where they were often destined to tossed out or sold for scrap by the local priests. Retablos were normally painted by untrained itinerant folk artists, who copied their original Works from the paintings in The cathedrals. These paintings were, in turn, brought over from Italy and Spain. The content was stricty governed by the Inquisition, who set guidelines as to what poses, colors, symbolic objects and the like were to be featured in these icons.
This is San Isidro, a saint who was very popular n Mexico in the 19th century, and whose popularity is on the rise again today. He is sometimes refered to as the Saint of Rain, and some people even call him "the rain god". He is the patron saint of farmers. On his feast day, his image is taken out and paraded throught the fields so that it will rain and make the crops grow.
************ This is a hand painted, original piece of folk art.
These pieces are made with recycled wood - Mexican fruit crates - or “rejas” as they are called.
From Fausto's Art Gallery in Ojinaga, Chihuahua.
(Shipped from Presidio, Texas)
Notice the fine detail.