19th Century Spanish Colonial School, Retablo, El Nino De Atocha - Antique Oil Painting

Name: 19th Century Spanish Colonial School, Retablo, El Nino De Atocha - Antique Oil Painting
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1059085
Availability: SoldOut

19th century

Sold by Brave Fine Art

Description

This late 19th-century Mexican oil painting depicts the Christ child as ‘El Nino de Atocha’.

El Nino de Atocha is a popular subject of Mexican retablo art and its roots can be traced to Atocha, a suburb of Madrid. During the 13th century, the Moors controlled the majority of Spain and many Christians in Atocha were taken prisoner. The prisoners relied upon family members for food but, according to legend, only children under the age of 12 were allowed to assist. Hence, for men without children, the conditions were dire.

The women of Atocha prayed in desperation and it’s said that a child dressed as a pilgrim, unknown to anyone in the area, arrived with food for the childless. It soon became widely accepted that the pilgrim was a manifestation of the Infant Jesus.

Here, in this depiction, Christ is shown wearing a traditional capelet and brimmed hat, while holding a staff and a basket with perhaps bread and roses. It’s a fascinating piece.

Held within a splendid ‘Nicho’ frame with rosettes, and punched hemispheric attachments embellished with star, floral, and beaded motifs.

Medium: Oil on tin

Overall size: 19½” x 24” / 49cm x 61cm

Year of creation: c. 1880

Provenance: Private collection, Denver, Colorado, USA (prior to 1990) / Private collection, France.

Condition: Assessed and approved by our conservator. Aged-related wear on the retablo and frame including small losses. The paint layer is stable. Delicate frame.

Our reference: BRV1802

Physical Dimensions

Height

61cm (24.02")

Width

49cm (19.29")

Depth

2cm (0.79")

Declaration

Brave Fine Art has dated this piece to the 1880s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1059085

Description

This late 19th-century Mexican oil painting depicts the Christ child as ‘El Nino de Atocha’.

“

El Nino de Atocha is a popular subject of Mexican retablo art and its roots can be traced to Atocha, a suburb of Madrid.

Brave Fine Art

During the 13th century, the Moors controlled the majority of Spain and many Christians in Atocha were taken prisoner. The prisoners relied upon family members for food but, according to legend, only children under the age of 12 were allowed to assist. Hence, for men without children, the conditions were dire.

fig 1. 19th Century Spanish Colonial School, Retablo, El Nino de Atocha - Antique Oil Painting — fig 1. 19th Century Spanish Colonial School, Retablo, El Nino De Atocha - Antique Oil Painting

The women of Atocha prayed in desperation and it’s said that a child dressed as a pilgrim, unknown to anyone in the area, arrived with food for the childless. It soon became widely accepted that the pilgrim was a manifestation of the Infant Jesus.

fig 2. 19th Century Spanish Colonial School, Retablo, El Nino de Atocha - Antique Oil Painting — fig 2. 19th Century Spanish Colonial School, Retablo, El Nino De Atocha - Antique Oil Painting

Here, in this depiction, Christ is shown wearing a traditional capelet and brimmed hat, while holding a staff and a basket with perhaps bread and roses. It’s a fascinating piece.

Held within a splendid ‘Nicho’ frame with rosettes, and punched hemispheric attachments embellished with star, floral, and beaded motifs.

fig 3. 19th Century Spanish Colonial School, Retablo, El Nino de Atocha - Antique Oil Painting — fig 3. 19th Century Spanish Colonial School, Retablo, El Nino De Atocha - Antique Oil Painting

Medium: Oil on tin

Overall size: 19½” x 24” / 49cm x 61cm

Year of creation: c. 1880

Provenance: Private collection, Denver, Colorado, USA (prior to 1990) / Private collection, France.

Condition: Assessed and approved by our conservator. Aged-related wear on the retablo and frame including small losses. The paint layer is stable. Delicate frame.

Our reference: BRV1802