Description:

Latin America, Mexico, 19th century. Hand-painted on heavy gauge tin, a touching retablo of Our Lady of Sorrows (Mater Dolorosa in Latin). This image is one of the most important compositions in which Mary is depicted without Christ. She is represented as a mourning mother projecting a grieving attitude, her head covered with a blue veil, her hands clasped together, and a dagger pointed at her breast (now difficult to see). In addition, there are 7 daggers or swords which represent the seven sorrows to the lower left of her sleeves, and beneath the Virgin is the inscription "Mater Dolorosa, Ora Pro Nobis" meaning "Pray for us." Size of retablo: 13.75" L x 10" W (34.9 cm x 25.4 cm) Size of frame: 23.7" L x 19.625" W (60.2 cm x 49.8 cm)

Mater Dolorosa retablos present a sword piercing Mary's heart to reference Luke 2:35: "And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, 'Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed--and a sword will pierce even your own soul-- to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.'"

Provenance: ex-private Bishop Family Trust collection, the Trust of the late Bill Bishop, a noted antiquarian with shops in Scottsdale, Arizona and Allenspark, Colorado, USA, acquired before 2010

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#174228

  • Condition: Retablo is set in a frame behind glass and has not been examined outside the frame. This said, it is possible to see that there is expected surface wear with some pigment loss, abrasions, and stains commensurate with age; some indentations in areas; perforations at top and bottom center. Inscription (Mater Dolorosa, Ora Pro Nobis) is legible. Scuffs and chips to frame as shown. Fit with suspension wire and ready to display.

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September 1, 2022 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
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