American Art San Ramón Nonato Made in New Mexico, United States, North and Central Americac. 1820-35 José Aragón, or follower, American, c. 1781/89 - c. 1860 Water-based paint on wood panel * Gallery 110, American Art, first floor 1949-97-8 Purchased with the SmithKline Beckman Corporation Fund, 1949 |
LabelThe tradition of New Mexican santos (images of the saints) grew out of models from Spain and Mexico, but the territory's isolation and limited resources shaped the development of a distinct visual style. Using locally gathered materials, artists developed flat, linear compositions that made use of a limited palette to create a simple, direct image.José Aragón was one of the santeros (saint makers) active in northern New Mexico at a time when there was increasing demand for religious images for mission churches and private devotions. The thirteenth-century Spaniard San Ramón Nonato (Saint Raymond, the Unborn) was a favorite in New Mexico: venerated as the patron saint of pregnant women and childbirth because he survived a Caesarian birth from a dead mother, and as the patron saint of anonymity and secrecy due to his refusal to stop preaching while he was in captivity. * Works in the collection are moved off view for many different reasons. Although gallery locations on the website are updated regularly, there is no guarantee that this object will be on display on the day of your visit. |
