DepartmentHispano

Santa Gertrudis

NameRetablo

Maker Attributed to Molleno (New Mexican, 1815 - 1845)

Datepossibly ca. 1800

Place madeNorthern, New Mexico, United States, North America

MediumPine wood, tempera, gesso

DimensionsOverall: 16 3/8 x 12 5/16 x 3/4 in. (41.6 x 31.2 x 1.9 cm)

Credit LineGift of Mrs. Cyrus McCormick, 1/19/49.

Object numberA7.1949.6

DescriptionFigure is conventional habit of St. Gertrude, has large heart on bosom and holds abbess' staff with hooked on crozier top and red banner falling around it to bottom of panel, finished with yellow tassel. this is similar in style of CW-R-7 and L5.1954.14 (SCAS), of San Jose and San Geronimo. All are heavily drawn with dark colored backgrounds, over sized hands, attempts at naturalistic features, and acid tones of red and green. Another trait not typical of classic santero panels is the superposition of light or white paint to indicate highlights, folds, etc. These do not, however, suggest the very late panes of similar elements but mostly ineptly brushed, which are found painted over sawmill boards and apparently after imported, post-Lamy chromos. It is possible that this over-sized hand and acid green seriesis of the earlier santero period. (possibly ca. 1800), when Mexican oil paintings were still referred to as models, and the attributes etc. were fairly correct. Early Molleno.