Retablos:Art for the Masses
May
5–July 12, 2009
The Retablos
exhibit is a continuation of the guest curator series showcasing
private Houston collections. The works on exhibit provide an
insight into the art of the retablo, but more importantly
these paintings are windows into understanding traditions
associated with sacred spaces, ritual practices, values, and
regional customs found throughout the Americas.
Retablos,
long associated with Mexico, are small oil paintings on tin,
zinc, wood or copper. They were used in home altars to venerate
the many Catholic Saints. The literal translation of retablo
is “behind the altar.” The art was introduced to
Catholic-converted Indians by the Spanish and flourished in post
conquest Mexico. With the introduction of inexpensive mediums
such as tin in the 19th century, small retablo
factories were established. The oil paintings were sold to
devout believers who displayed them on their home altars to
honor their patron saints. The early Mexican families of Texas
centered in the populous regions of Bexar (San Antonio) and
Goliad/Refugio undoubtedly continued the tradition of using
retablos on home altars in the northern province of Texas.
The Retablos exhibit is guest curated by Bob Briddick.
Images
left to right:
Santiago, El Niño de Atocha, and a collection of bultos
all from the
collection of Bob Briddick.
This program is made possible in part by a grant from Humanities
Texas,
the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
The
Heritage Society is funded in part by a grant from the City of
Houston
through the Houston Arts Alliance.
