Mexican Folk Retablos: Masterpieces on Tin

Mexican Folk Retablos: Masterpieces on Tin by Gloria Kay Giffords. hardcover edition. ISBN: 9780816503223.

First published in 1974, this study of religious paintings on tin--an art that flourished in Mexico in the nineteenth century has never been surpassed. It remains an important resource for folk art scholars and enthusiasts both. This revised edition includes the most current information on the iconography of the saints. The first part of the book is given to an analysis of folk retablo painting. The second part concentrates on iconography and on why certain images of Christ, Mary, and the saints were venerated. The third part examines ex-votos, small images painted to commemorate the donors gratitude for a favor. Throughout, the text is superbly illustrated with color plates and detailed descriptions and commentaries on each image.