St Anthony & The Apparition of the Child Jesus

This 19th century Mexican folk retablo represents Saint Antony of Padua and the Apparition of the Child Jesus. While San Antonio de Padua is a fairly common theme in retablo art, this unique composition, which includes The Apparition of the Infant Jesus incarnated as a young child, is exceedingly rare. 

While many of of Saint Anthony's travel, fertility and maritime miracles are well known, the miracle of The Infant Jesus’ incarnation is far more obscure. Unlike many of Saint Anthony’s other miracles, which have been chronicled by writers and illustrated by painters for 800 years, this theme is rarely depicted in any art form, and almost never in such a faithful and precise manner as the example offered here. While the exact location of this miracle is debatable, In the year of 1228 AD, in Padua, Italy or modern Châteauneuf-la-Forêt, France, Saint Anthony accepted the hospitality of his friend Lord Châteauneuf's invitation to lodge at the house of Tisone, one of the ancient homes of the counts of Camposampiero.. During one of Anthony's late evening vigils, his host was awakened by an illumination that flooded his room with brilliant yellow light emanating from the crack beneath his door. First he heard the voice of a young child and when he could no longer resist the temptation or his curiosity, he peered through a small opening in the wall and what he witnessed next would pervade every fiber of his being with awe and admiration - The incarnation of the Infant Jesus in the form of a young child. The following day, knowing his presence had been discovered, Châteauneuf promised Anthony that the story of The Infant’s visitation would remain a secret until after his death. 

In addition to the rarity of this subject, this retablo also possesses an unparalleled decorative charm.. The Santo Nino levitating above the infant child and the inclusion of a timid cat, positioned behind a  run of floor tiles which seemingly defy every law of physics, is further evidence of that charm. And all around great 19th century Mexican folk retablo. Circa 1880. 

Dimensions: 14 inches vertical x 10 inches horizontal. 

Condition notes: In overall good, original condition. 

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