Nuevo Santander Gallery
Fine Art  - Antiques  - Old West Collectibles
717 North Main Street  ¤  McAllen TX  78501
(956) 618-4959  ¤  fax  (956) 618-1746
nsantander@aol.com

EX VOTOS

1882 Ex- Voto

Oil On Tin
6½" x 8¼"

$1200

Oil On Canvas
14" x 18½"

$4500

Oil On Tin
9" x 6"

$600

EX VOTOS

An ex voto is a votive painting hung on a church wall to commemorate the recovery of the donor from some grave danger.  The painting illustrates a written text that relates the circumstances of the cure or rescue.  These written commentaries are often so full of regional dialect and phonetic spelling that it is impossible to translate them and still maintain their flavor.  Prior to the nineteenth century, ex votos were painted on canvas for the wealthy.  After the end of the eighteenth century, tin became the most popular material for ex votos which allowed the masses access to them. 

More information about ex votos is available in Mexican Folk Retablos by Giffords.