Latin America, Mexico, Spanish Colonial period, ca. 19th century CE. A charming tin retablo of Saint Cajetan (San Cayetano), the co-founder of the order of the Theatines Regular Clerks and the founder of numerous hospitals, set in a wooden nicho. Wearing a holy cord and grasping a lily to symbolize purity, the saint is draped in the black robes of his order as he stands beneath a Sacred Cross, a Crown of Thorns (a symbol of Christ's crown of thorns of Holly Oak, which is said to be the same tree as the Cross), and a Crown of Roses (a symbol of Martyrdom, though Cajetan was not a martyr). Rays of light shine in from the upper left corner representing God, while a table to his right presents books and an ink horn signifying his authorship or an attribute of his role as founder of an order and flames rise from his chest alluding to his religious fervor. Size of retablo: 7" W x 10" H (17.8 cm x 25.4 cm); of nicho: 10" W x 15.75" H (25.4 cm x 40 cm)

The Crucifixion behind him additionally refers to the mystical crucifixion he endured when Theatine brothers wanted to transport him from the hardwood floor that he slept upon to a proper bed. Saint Cajetan protested, "if hardwood is good enough for my Savior to die on then it is good enough for me."

According to scholar Gloria Fraser Giffords, "Saint Cajetan was greatly concerned with the corruption and indifference of Catholics during his lifetime. Although of a wealthy family and highly educated, he selected a religious life and was ordained when he was thirty-three years old in 1516. He re-founded a group called the Confraternity of the Divine Love, dedicated to the zealous promotion of the welfare of souls. No job was too menial for this group, who were small, select, and even aristocratic in composition. They strongly emphasized poverty and aiding the sick.

In 1527 Emperor Charles V sacked Rome. The Spanish soldiers, certain that the group was hiding great wealth, brutally tortured the members of the order, including Cajetan. The group fled to Venice, where Cajetan was selected as the leader of the Theatines. His humility became legendary, and stories of miracles multiplied during his own lifetime." ("Mexican Folk Retablos" revised edition by Gloria Giffords, p. 90)

Cf. University Art Museum at New Mexico State University, 1966.06.21.

Provenance: private Oglesby, Illinois, USA collection, acquired in the 1990s from various Western US auction galleries

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#184260

Small loss to base of nicho on verso and loosening to nicho backing and top. Some nicks and abrasions to surface of both, but otherwise retablo is intact and both have a nice presentation with rich patina.