19th Century San Pedro with Anima Solas Retablo #10

$ 4,500.00
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  • 19th Century San Pedro with Anima Solas Retablo
  • Saint Peter with the Souls in Purgatory
  • Late 19th Century Original Retablo Oil Painting on Tin created in Mexico.
  • Retablo dimensions are approx. 10 inches horizontal x 7 inches vertical. 
  • Condition: in excellent, clean, original condition with some minor paint loss acquired over more than a century of use and devotional prayer.
  • From the Acts of the Apostles, Luke mentioned that "large numbers of men and women taken ill or infirm were carried out into the streets and laid on cots and pallets, so that when Saint Peter passed by, at least his shadow might fall on any one of them. People from the cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem were coming together, bringing people who were sick or afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all being healed."
  • This "Shadow of Saint Peter", the physical act of Saint Peter's Shadow having the ability to heal and cleanse body and spirit became a Revered and Potent Image in the New World and in Mexican Retablo Art. 
  • The figures in the left lower quadrant are Anima Solas, Souls in Purgatory, praying that Saint Peter's Shadow might fall upon them, that their petitions and prayers for Salvation may be answered.
  • Classic images of Saint Peter depict him holding a large set of skeleton keys represents the Keys of St. Peter, an emblem of the Catholic Church which represents the divine authority invested in the Apostle Peter before the death of Christ. It is this symbolism that led to the folk legend of Saint Peter as the Keeper of the “Pearly Gates”of Heaven
  • Saint Peter was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ, leaders of the early Christian Church. Peter was ordained by Jesus in the "Rock of My Church". He is traditionally counted as the first Bishop of Rome‍.
  • The New Testament indicates that Peter was from the village of Bethsaida in the province of Galilee. His brother Andrew was also an apostle. According to New Testament accounts, Peter was one of Twelve Apostles chosen by Jesus from his first disciples. Originally a fisherman, he played a leadership role among the followers, and was with Jesus during events witnessed by only a few apostles, such as the Transfiguration. According to the Gospels, Peter declared Jesus as the Messiah, was part of Jesus's inner circle, but yet thrice denied Jesus at his arrest, and wept bitterly once he realised his misdeed.
  • According to Christian tradition, Peter was crucified in Rome under Emperor Nero Augustus Caesar. It is traditionally held that he was crucified upside down at his own request, since he saw himself unworthy to be crucified in the same way as Jesus.
  • Note from Brian: I had purchased this extremely rare Retablo from my beloved dealer friend Jim Caswell of Historia Antiques. I was very moved by the brilliant colors, the gorgeous folk style of the painting, and by the deep emotional tone set in the gorgeous treatment of the faces and expressions of both Saint Peter and the Anima Solas. Jim was a Master Scholar of Retablo Art and Iconography, and he attributed the artist of this painting as "The Worried Painter". This was on account of the artist's tendency to "knit" the eyebrows of his subjects, giving them a worried or anxious expression. There are several works by the Worried Painter in our collection, and he was a favorite of both myself and Jim Caswell.
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