Symbolism & the Retablo

Ms. Meier

Retablos & Ex Votos

• A retablo is a devotional painting that depicts a saint or religious figure

• An ex voto is a Mexican devotional painting depicting a miraculous event credited to a holy figure

• Both are associated with the Catholic religion, brought to Mexico by the Spanish in the late 1400’s and carried into New Mexico by missionaries

Symbolism

• A symbol is a sign or image that represents an idea or concept.

• Retablos are full of religious and cultural symbolism, and can be “read” with meaning.

• Try to find symbols in the retablo examples that I show you.

• Afterward, we will look at a wooden example of a retablo done by a folk artist in Taos. What do you notice?

Our Lady of Guadalupe, oil paint on tin

St. Francis of Assisi, oil paint on wood

“La Conquistadora in Colcha”

Santa Elena de la Crus Ex Voto

Nuestra Senora del Patrocinio de Zacatecas Ex Voto