Lares group, La Virgen y el Nino, ca. 1875-1900, carved and painted wood, metal, and string, 15 1⁄8 x 5 1⁄2 x 5 3⁄8 in. (38.3 x 14.0 x 13.7 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Teodoro Vidal Collection, 1996.91.44
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Artwork Details
- Title
- La Virgen y el Nino
- Artist
- Lares group
- Date
- ca. 1875-1900
- Location
- Dimensions
- 15 1⁄8 x 5 1⁄2 x 5 3⁄8 in. (38.3 x 14.0 x 13.7 cm.)
- Credit Line
- Teodoro Vidal Collection
- Mediums Description
- carved and painted wood, metal, and string
- Classifications
- Subjects
- Religion — New Testament — Christ
- Religion — New Testament — Mary
- Object Number
- 1996.91.44
Artwork Description
This santo shows the Virgin Mary supporting the Christ child on her forearm. The curved lines of her costume and deep grooves defining her long strands of hair create a sense of physical energy, and the stippled dots typify the Lares group's playful decoration. A milagro (a small token, often of a body part, that represents a miracle of healing) hangs from her right hand as an offering of thanks from a worshiper. As with many santos, this figure's original symbols, which were probably held in her hands, have been lost.
