Death Cart (Carreta de la Muerte)

Currently not on view

Death Cart (Carreta de la Muerte)

c. 1880-1900

Artist/maker unknown, American

This powerful sculpture represents the art of the Penitente brotherhoods, religious groups that flourished in northern New Mexico and southern Colorado in the nineteenth century. Pulled in an Easter procession, this terrifying figure---skeletal, shrouded, and armed with a bow and arrow---warns of the constant presence of death and the perils awaiting an unprepared, unrepentant sinner.

The Death Cart belongs to the tradition of dramatic sculpture of Spain and Latin America. Working in a village far from metropolitan centers, the master who made this sculpture developed a personal style of unnerving naturalism and expressive abstraction.

Currently not on view

Object Details

Title:

Death Cart (Carreta de la Muerte)

Date:

c. 1880-1900

Artist:

Artist/maker unknown, American

Medium:

Cottonwood, spruce wheels, paint, hair, sheep's teeth (?), glass or obsidian eyes, rope, black wool/silk mantilla

Dimensions:

51 x 25 x 49 inches (129.5 x 63.5 x 124.5 cm)

Classification:

Sculpture

Credit Line:

Purchased with the Thomas Skelton Harrison Fund and with funds contributed by Marguerite and Gerry Lenfest and Marvin B. Levitties, and with the gift (by exchange) of Mrs. Elizabeth Titus, 2006

Accession Number:

2006-85-1

Geography:

Possibly made near Córdova, New Mexico, United States, North and Central America Possibly made near Taos, New Mexico, United States, North and Central America

We are always open to learning more about our collections and updating the website. Does this record contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? Contact us here.

Please note that this particular artwork might not be on view when you visit. Don’t worry—we have plenty of exhibitions for you to explore.

Currently not on view