San Lorenzo Martir

Saint Lawrence Martir, Circa 1880
Attributed to the 'Halloween Painter' 

This 19th century Mexican folk retablo represents 'San Lorenzo Martir,' patron saint of chefs, roasters and firefighters.

In the year of 258, under the rule of Roman Emperor Valerian, Saint Lawrence had distributed the alms of the church to the poor and was imprisoned and scheduled for execution. He was given three days to gather and return all of the church's treasures and as he made his journey back towards Rome he was joined by thousands of his disciples, including the poor, the blind and the impaired. In lieu of the treasures he had been entrusted with, he presented the people he had cared for instead and declared them the 'true treasures of the church." He was martyred on a metal grate and grilled alive over a bed of hot coals. In retablo art, San Lorenzo is depicted as he is here, holding a metal grate in one hand and a martyr's palm in the other. In this example however, San Lorenzo wields a second martyr's palm with his ancillary appendage. 

Dimensions are 10 inches x 7 inches. 

Condition notes: in good, original condition,.

Unrestored and original. Rare

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