Retablos

For this project, Downs commissioned new votive paintings - 'retablos' - from contemporary Mexican visual artists. ❋ Unknown (2011)

The church of Santo Domingo, built as a Jesuit church (1746-9) but turned over to the Dominicans when the Jesuits were expelled in 1767, has a particularly interesting interior with 8 Churrigueresque gilded wooden "retablos" or altarpieces, with fine sculptures and paintings. ❋ Unknown (2008)

His father was a carver of "retablos," and brought the boy up to follow his profession. ❋ Julia De Wolf Gibbs Addison (N/A)

Inside, vibrant "retablos" (religious paintings) sparkle in the ethereal light. ❋ Unknown (2010)

On display were numerous retablos, or devotional paintings. ❋ Unknown (2009)

I have written a couple of articles for Mexconnect on retablos, most recently on San Juan de los Lagos, which has the best retablo collection that I have seen. ❋ Unknown (2009)

I too am a big fan of Mexican retablos or exvotos. ❋ Unknown (2009)

The Virgin of Guadalupe is especially known for helping overcome drug addictions and alcoholism (I used to live about a Km. from the Basilica and was always surprised at how many village drunks were dragged along on the annual pilgrimage), so there are a lot of retablos featuring before and afters of falling down drunks (or guys with a needle in their arm before, and healthy, happy and holy afterwords). ❋ Unknown (2009)

Ex-votos and retablos, with their stark symbolism, were painting to be instantly understood by largely illiterate populations. ❋ John Seed (2011)

Couper soon started collecting both retablos -- paintings dedicated to a particular saint -- and ex-votos, which describe personal experiences and offer thanks. ❋ John Seed (2011)