Lot 494
**Originally Listed At $400**
Spanish Colonial, Mexico, ca. 19th to early 20th century CE. A finely rendered Mexican painted tin retablo depicting Raphael the Archangel, patron of travelers, healers, and matchmakers. The archangel is portrayed standing against a verdant landscape, his expansive wings unfurled behind him. He holds in his right hand a pilgrim's staff, from which hangs a gourd of water, a traditional attribute symbolizing his role as protector of those on journeys. In his left hand, Raphael extends a blessing gesture while also grasping a fish suspended from a string, a reference to the Book of Tobit, where he instructs Tobias to use the fish to cure his father's blindness and to ward off evil. Dressed in a short tunic with blue bodice, cream-colored skirt, and red sash, Raphael's attire blends martial and divine elements, underscoring his dual role as both guardian and messenger of God. Size of retablo: 6.3" W x 9.5" H (16 cm x 24.1 cm); of frame: 15.5" W x 19" H (39.4 cm x 48.3 cm)
His red boots and the golden halo encircling his head add vibrant highlights to the composition, while the surrounding trees anchor the celestial figure in an earthly setting.
Retablos such as this were devotional images created for private or communal veneration, often painted by anonymous folk artists on inexpensive tin sheets. They served as a tangible link between the divine and the faithful, carried in homes, chapels, and along pilgrimages. This example, with its clear iconographic references and luminous colors, exemplifies the enduring tradition of popular religious art in Mexico during the 19th to early 20th century.
Provenance: private Fort Collins, Colorado, USA collection
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#197227
- Condition: Mounted in custom frame with suspension wire on verso for display. Chipping to corners and perforations to edges. Some areas of chipping and loss to pigment, as well as darkening and patina, but otherwise, clear imagery.
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| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |