Santa Barbara

Unidentified, Santa Barbara, 18th century, carved and painted wood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Teodoro Vidal Collection, 1996.91.57

Unidentified, Santa Barbara, 18th century, carved and painted wood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Teodoro Vidal Collection, 1996.91.57

Unidentified, Santa Barbara, 18th century, carved and painted wood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Teodoro Vidal Collection, 1996.91.57

Unidentified, Santa Barbara, 18th century, carved and painted wood, 9 ¹⁄₄ x 3 ⁷⁄₈ x 3 ³⁄₄ in. (23.5 x 9.9 x 9.6 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Teodoro Vidal Collection, 1996.91.57

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Artwork Details

Title: Santa Barbara
Artist: Unidentified
Date: 18th century
Location: Not on view
Dimensions: 9 ¹⁄₄ x 3 ⁷⁄₈ x 3 ³⁄₄ in. (23.5 x 9.9 x 9.6 cm.)
Credit Line: Teodoro Vidal Collection
Mediums: wood
Mediums Description: carved and painted wood
Classifications: Sculpture
Subjects: Religion — saint — St. Barbara
Architecture Exterior — civic — tower
Object — foliage — palm
Object Number: 1996.91.57
Linked Open Data: https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1996.91.57

Artwork Description

In Puerto Rico smaller images of saints (santos) were usually made for private prayer, while larger figures were intended for church. A wealthy patron probably owned this early figure. As more artisans carved santos, they became increasingly accessible to families of moderate means. By the end of the nineteenth century, santos could be found in most Catholic households on the island.

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