VTG 1945 HP MEXICAN TIN RETABLO SANTO NINO DE ATOCHA HELPS FAMILY OBTAIN DONKEY For Sale

FROM GUADALAJARA, MEXICO: fine example of vintage Mexican folk art #89
VINTAGE MEDIUMSIZE 8"x7" HAND-PAINTED TIN MEXICAN RETABLO (EX VOTO); DATED 1945
HIGHLY DETAILED TIN RETABLO, featuring SANTO NINO DE ATOCHAAPPEARING ON A CLOUD ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE PAINTING, DEPICTING A TRADITIONALLY DRESSED MEXICAN FAMILY OF 3 AND A DONKEY OUTSIDE OF THE SMALL MEXICAN TOWN COMPLETE WITH CHURCH AND TREES IN THE BACKGROUND.
TEXT (loosely translated from Spanish): I GIVE THANKS TO SANTO NINO DE ATOCHA FOR WE ALREADY HAVE A DONKEY FOR TRANSPORTING POTATOES FOR SALE. JOSE TECUAPETLA, ATLIXCO, 1945
There is a hole provided for hanging on the wall.
The piece is in vintage condition; some surface imperfections due to age; total rusting & micro tears to metal in back; Medium: 8" x 7 . Dated: 1945.PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS AN OLD VINTAGE PIECE; IT'S BEING SOLD "AS IS"
A NOTE of HISTORY OF RETABLO FOLK ART:Votive paintings in Mexico go by several names in Spanish such as “ex voto,” “retablo” or “lamina,” which refer to their purpose. The painting of religious images to give thanks for a miracle or favor received, is part of a long tradition started in Europe. The form that most votive paintings take from the colonial period to the presentwas brought to Mexico by the Spanish. As in Europe, votive paintings began as static images of saints or other religious figures which were then donated to a church. Later, narrative images, telling the personal story of a miracle or favor received appeared. These paintings were first produced by the wealthy and often on canvas; also on wood; however, as sheets of tin became affordable, lower classes began to have these painted on this medium.The narrative version on metal sheets is now the traditional and representative form of votive paintings. Though some ex votos have been painted by the person receiving the miracle, most are made byretableros: commissioned artistswho interpret people's stories and produce these tokens of appreciation to be placed/hung on church walls or shrines, reinforcing the owner's devotion and gratitude.These lovely miracle paintings are in fact advertisements of the power and mercy of the saints.Due their proliferation, especially in the 18th and 19th century, many older votive paintings have left the places they were deposited and found their way into public and private collections.The collecting of tin retablos was begun by Mexican artistDiego Rivera, whose work, along with those of a number of other painters past and present, has been influenced by them.(See last photo, showing Diego and Frida's collection of antique Mexican retablos on display at Museo Frida Kahlo in Mexico City)

Hand-painted in Mexico

Dated 1945

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