Our Lady of Ocotlan

This 19th century Mexican folk is nothing short of a masterpiece. Our Lady of Ocotlan, one of the most coveted subjects in Spanish colonial art, is depicted in this classic 19th century folk retablo.

According to popular legend, In the year of 1541, a young man named Juan Diego Bernardino was climbing through the forest onto a hill above the town of Tlaxcala. High upon the hill Mary called to him. He explained to her that the people of his town had been afflicted by a terrible plague. Our Lady asked him to follow her to a place where he could drink from a sacred river and be cured. After filling his container, Juan Diego soon returned to his village with water, and everyone who drank the miraculous water was cured.

This beautiful Ocotlan retablo is arguably, one of the finest examples known to exist. We have combed through collections, studied reference books and curated retablo exhibits, never encountering another 'Ocotlan' of the same caliber.  Some of the highlights include:

1: The iridescent gold paint. When held to the light at different angles the surface becomes luminous.
2: The small vignettes, including -- the Town of Tlaxcala, God the Father, Juan Diego next to the watering hole, the minaret in upper right, and the national eagle symbol in lower right. 
3: The saturn ring of cherubs encircling her radiant crown. 

Dimensions: 14 inches vertical x 10 inches horizontal. 

Condition: minimal paint loss. 

questions? Contact us at 415-578-8814 or info@colonialarts.com