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P E R U V I A N
FO L K A R T
Retablos and Sculpture by the Gonzalez Family of Huancayo |
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| The term retablo traditionally applies to a broad variety of religious images which are painted and sculpted over much of Latin America. The word is derived from the Latin retro tabula, which means behind the (altar) table, where devotional images were typically placed. In Mexico, New Mexico and Guatemala retablo (or strictly speaking, retablo santo) has taken the form of images of Christ, the virgin, or the saints, painted on tin or wood. Carved and painted wood sculptures of saints and religious figures set in shallow boxes are generally referred to as nichos in this area.
The Peruvian retablo is, in a sense, a blend of the two forms. Figures of individual saints may be sculpted of a mix of plaster and cooked potato, or as in the case of the Gonzalez family of Huancayo, carved of maguey wood and set in a shadow box, like a nicho. But frequently, as in the pieces shown here, they take the form of a three dimensional painting of a scene, consisting of many figures in very complex environments. The boxes form miniature houses or shrines, often with opening doors and a gable above the opening. Typically both the doors and the sides of the box are covered with an ornate, polychrome floral decoration. The Peruvian retablos traditionally serve as household shrines, which combine folk and Christian tradiions. The art form has evolved to include the depiction of secular scenes of daily life in peru, such as markets, shops, harvests, weddings and other ceremonies. In some cases the subject matter may even be political, depicting the turmoil of the last few years.
Figure carrying cross by Gonzalez brothers, 2004 (photo by Anthony Fisher)
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Javier Gonzalez in Santa Fe, 2004 (photo by Anthony Fisher)
"Pedro and Javier Gonzalez credit their paternal grandfather, Don Pedro Abilio Gonzalez Flores, for their success. In teaching his grandsons the art of making imagineria, the elder gonzalez shared his love of the Peruvian heritage. For more than four decades, the gonzalez brothers have been working alongside their grandfather in a workshop beside a creek near an ancient road in the village of Aza, in the central Andes."
"In ancient Peru, the serpent-shaped maguey was considered a sacred tree, touching both the world below and the world above. During the 16th century, when master saint-makers arrived in peru from Spain, the artisans sought ways to make their icons lightweight for transport. The many Indian artisans who were forced to serve as apprentices used maguey. Acultural syncretism resulted that combined the occidental saint on the exterior and the sacred soul of the ancient maguey within."
(From biography at Santa Fe International Folk Art Market, 2006)
Pedro Gonzalez painting a santo figure in Santa Fe, 2004 (photo by Anthony Fisher)
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Adam and Eve - Retablo (#PGRTB1)
Rumi Gonzalez (Aza, Huancayo, Peru), c.2005
Painted maguey wood sculpture in painted wood box (Design may vary).
(8 1/2" h.. x 6" w. x 3 1/4" d.)
$78
SOLD |
Artist and Model - Retablo (#PGRTB2)
Javier Gonzalez (Aza, Huancayo, Peru), 2007
Painted carved maguey wood sculpture in painted wood box
(6" h.. x 4" w. x 2 1/4" d.)
$58
Temporarily out of stock |
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Musicos Muertes Retablo (#PGRTB3)
Javier Gonzalez (Aza, Huancayo, Peru), 2006
Painted carved maguey wood sculpture in painted wood box
(6" h.. x 4" w. x 2 1/4" d.)
$58
SOLD 11/07 |
Until Death Do Us Part - Retablo (#PGRTB4)
Javier Gonzalez (Aza, Huancayo, Peru), 2007
Painted carved maguey wood sculpture in painted wood box
(5 1/2" h.. x 4" w. x 2" d.)
$62 |
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Fiesta of the Dead - Retablo (#PGRTB5)
Javier Gonzalez (Aza, Huancayo, Peru), 2007
Painted carved maguey wood sculpture in painted wood box
(6 3/4" h.. x 8 1/4" w. x 3" d.)
$165 |
Adam and Eve - Retablo (#PGRTB6)
Javier Gonzalez (Aza, Huancayo, Peru), 2007
Painted carved maguey wood sculpture in painted wood box
(6" h.. x 4" w. x 2" d.)
$62
SOLD 9/08 |
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St. Francis - Retablo (#PGRTB7)
Javier Gonzalez (Aza, Huancayo, Peru), 2007
Painted carved maguey wood sculpture in painted wood box
(7 1/2" h.. x 3 1/2" w. x 2" d.)
$110
SOLD 10/08 |
La Sirena con Guitarra - Retablo (#PGRTB8)
Pedro Gonzalez (Aza, Huancayo, Peru), 2007
Painted carved maguey wood sculpture in painted wood box
(8 3/4" h.. x 4" w. x 2" d.)
$120
SOLD 7/08 |
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San Isidro Labrador - Santo (#PGSTO1)
Javier Gonzalez (Aza, Huancayo, Peru), 2006
Painted carved maguey wood sculpture .
(6 3/4" h. x 2 1/2" w. x 2" d.)
$54 SOLD 9/07 |
La Sirena con Guitarra - Santo (#PGSTO2)
Javier Gonzalez (Aza, Huancayo, Peru), 2006
Painted carved maguey wood sculpture .
(9 1/2" h. x 3 1/2" w. x 2 1/2" d.)
$195 SOLD 1/07 |
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Cross (#PGCRS1)
Javier Gonzalez (Aza, Huancayo, Peru), 2006
Painted carved maguey wood sculpture .
(17" h. x 9" w. x 3" d.)
$325
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Noah's Ark - Sculpture/Ornament (#PGORN1)
Javier Gonzalez (Aza, Huancayo, Peru), 2006
Painted carved maguey wood sculpture .
(3 3/4" h. x 1 3/4" w. x 4 1/2" d.)
$32 |
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