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New World, Mexico, Spanish Colonial period, ca. 19th century CE. A nicely carved wooden santo of a male religious figure who appears to be a Franciscan monk. He is shown kneeling, holding what looks like a book in one hand, perhaps a sign that he is meant to be Saint Anthony of Padua, who sometimes has a book as one of his attributes. The carving around the head and neck is particularly well done. Size: 4.25″ W x 11″ H (10.8 cm x 27.9 cm)
Santos played an important role in bringing the Catholic Church to the New World with the Spanish colonists. These religious figures were hand-carved and often furnished with crowns, jewels, and other accessories, usually funded by religious devotees, and were used as icons to explain the major figures – Mary, Christ, and the saints – to new, indigenous converts. Likewise, they served as a connection to the Old World for Spanish colonists far from home. They became a folk art tradition in the Spanish New World, from modern day Guatemala to as far north as New Mexico and Colorado. Many of them were lovingly cared for over the years, with repairs and paint added as they aged, and played an active part for a long time in the religious life of their communities.
Condition: One hand missing and loss to upper back area. Loss to paint as shown, with some evidence for old overpainting, a common practice with santos.
Provenance: ex-Kurquhill’s Gallery, El Paso, Texas, USA; ex-private El Paso, Texas, USA collection, acquired early to mid 1970s
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