El Señor de Burgos

This 19th century Mexican folk retablo on tin represents "El Señor de Burgos," an ancient Spanish devotion to Christ, which a devotee wished to replicate when he found a naturally shaped crucifix in a tree called a "sauz." According to popular legend, the Cristo was roughly carved and the priest thought it too grotesque and required that it be recarved by an accomplished carver if it were to survive. The Cristo was beautifully recreated and it remains today the subject of great devotion in a small town which now is the city of San Luis Potosi. It is of great scale, almost life-size; with four small angels suspended by wire (represented in the retablo as well).

Dimensions: retablo measures 10 inches vertical x 7 inches horizontal. Tin nicho frame measures 17 inches vertical x 12 inches horizontal.