VTG HP MEXICAN TIN RETABLO SAN JUDAS TADEO SAVES MAN at TRAIN ROBBERY in 1914 For Sale

FROM SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE, MEXICO:FABULOUS EXAMPLE OF MEXICAN POPULAR FOLK ART! #91
VINTAGE LARGE SIZE 9\" x 7\" HAND-PAINTED TIN MEXICAN RETABLO (EX VOTO), dedicated to Chihuahua train robbery of 1914 - during Mexican Revolution*.*Judging by style and condition of the retablo, most likely, painted in early 1940\'s: it is customary to dedicate a retablo to a patron saint who saved or helped a family member sometime in the distant past.
HIGHLY DETAILED TIN RETABLO, featuring A DRAMATIC SCENE OF CHIHUAHUA TRAIN ROBBERY by VILLISTAS (PANCHO VILLA FOLLOWERS) in 1914, DURING MEXICAN REVOLUTION. SAN JUDAS TADEO APPEARS IN THE UPPER LEFT CORNER. DATED 1914*.SIGNED BY RETABLERO.*Judging by style and condition of the retablo, most likely, painted in early 1940\'s: it is customary to dedicate a retablo to a patron saint who saved or helped a family member sometime in the distant past.
TEXT (loosely translated from Spanish), gives you a shocking example of human cowardice:ARRIVING TO CHIHUAHUA IN 1914, THE VILLISTAS ATTACKED THE TRAIN AND THEY TOOK MY WIFE AND MY MOTHER-IN-LAW, BUT I WAS ABLE TO HIDE AND PRAYED TO SAN JUSAS TADEO TO WHOM I GIVE INFINITE, INFINITE FOR THEY DID NOT SEE ME.
There is a hole provided for hanging on the wall.The piece is in decent vintage condition; minor surface imperfections due to age; backside was painted over to prevent rusting (unsuccessful); still areas of rust and lost paint in back.
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)

Hand-painted in Mexico

Dated 1914 (most likely, early 1940\'s)

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