Latin America, Spanish Colonial, Mexico, ca. 19th century CE. A beautiful tin retablo painted with the image of El Alma de Maria or The Soul of Mary, which captures the mystical descent of the Holy Ghost upon Mary and the announcements of the Incarnation. Mary is young and beautiful wearing a crown of pink roses and pearl earrings as she crosses her hands over her heart pressing the white dove of the Holy Spirit toward her. Symbolizing her purity and exemption for worldly sins, the Virgin is dubbed a "rose without thorns." The garland of roses framing her visage may allude to the rosary of the Blessed Virgin, a device commonly used during the Renaissance. The artist created a balanced composition and skillfully painted and modeled the Virgin's facial features and hands. The blue background and light radiating from her head provide a bit of depth to the scene. The dove and flowers, however, are depicted in a relatively symbolic rather than naturalistic manner, as was characteristic of Mexican Folk Art. A beautiful example! Size: 10.1" W x 14.2" H (25.7 cm x 36.1 cm)

Provenance: private Oglesby, Illinois, USA collection, acquired from Morning Star Antiques, Tucson, Arizona, USA, June 19, 1999

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#184308

Folding to corners with some wrinkling and bending to tin as well as minor chips along peripheries, though main imagery is still clear. Nicks and abrasions with some minor loss to pigment. Otherwise, intact with nice remaining detail and heavy patina. Suspension holes to top and bottom from previous display.