DepartmentHispano

San Jose

NamePainting on wood, retablo

Artist A. J. Santero (active mid 19th century)

Date1820–1840

Place madeNew Mexico, United States, North America

MediumPine, tempera, gesso

DimensionsOverall: 23 1/4 x 11 7/16 x 13/16 in. (59 x 29 x 2 cm)

Credit LineMuseum of International Folk Art, bequest of Cady Wells, A9.1954.107 R

Object numberA9.1954.107 R

DescriptionTempera on gesso over hand adzed pine panel, lunette cut at top. St. Joseph is tall, graceful, with tiered crown-halo, drawn with angles looking like Tibetan lama's cap-a perculiarity of this santero. Child's halo is slit in three places, (ref. to Three Rays of Power of Christ) but resembles sun-bonnet. Lunette painted with one large hollyhock- "barro de San Jose"