Objects of Devotion, Colonial and Popular Religious Art in Latin America
February 5, 2003 - May 31, 2003

The outstanding production of religious art in Latin America during colonial times and through the 20th century testifies to the intense spiritual life of its population.

After a traumatic period when the Church tried to eradicate indigenous beliefs came a time of blending catholic images with indigenous beliefs – a mestizaje – of which the Virgin of Guadalupe was the first and most significant symbol.

Soon each religious order brought their protector saints and virgins, with codified images so their symbolic meaning would be easily recognized. A well established indigenous tradition of home altars created a new demand for small images of saints, called retablos, copied faithfully by untrained artists for use in homes. When tin became available as a cheap material early in the 19th century, this tradition blossomed, making it possible for more people to have these images and to commission votive paintings for offerings in churches, called ex-votos.

Through the holdings of the Permanent Collection the exhibit explored the representations of Virgins, Saints, Biblical scenes and miracles as presented in the most popular retablos, ex-votos and religious sculptures.

This exhibit presented for the first time important new acquisitions from the Rex May collection.


La Pietá 19th century