Latin America, Mexico, ca. 1969 CE. It is very unusual to find an ex voto painted on canvas like this example. Dedicated to Virgin of San Juan de los Lagos (of the Lakes), this ex voto depicts a gentleman lying on his back, his limbs moving as if writhing in pain, his hat cast to the side - all beneath a vision of the Holy Virgin Mary, crowned and enrobed in blue, gold, and white, standing upon a crescent moon, seemingly floating in all her hallowed presence. The text translates, "I give thanks to STMA (Saint Mary) Virgin of San Juan for creating a miracle for me that ended my attacks. . ." The inscription is signed by one J. Guadalupe Otero Aldaco of Irapuato, Mexico ( presumably the man depicted in the painting) and dated November 8 1968 to February 2, 1969. A wonderful ex-voto on canvas in a white and gold-toned wood fram. Size: 7.875" L x 11.5" W (20 cm x 29.2 cm); 9.625" L x 13.625" W (24.4 cm x 34.6 cm) in frame

Ex-votos are narrative paintings indicative of healing or blessing popular in Mexican visual culture. This tradition was inspired by the Greeks and was brought to the New World by the Spaniards. These votive paintings were hung in a church or placed adjacent to an image in order to celebrate and give thanks for the recovery of the donor from an illness or dangerous situation. In essence, ex-votos represent the spiritual or physical gains received by the donor. These paintings include hand painted passages that relate the details of the cure or the rescue. Oftentimes, however, this commentary is replete with regional dialect and difficult to translate. Nevertheless, if you are familiar with the Spanish language, you will probably get the gyst of these anecdotal paintings.

Provenance: Ex-Brunner collection

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#117461

A bit of craquelure to paint as shown. Overall very good with vivid image and legible written narrative.