Ex Voto: Giving Thanks For Saving Her Son. Oil on tin, circa 1866. Anonymous Mexican artist with a contemporary custom frame handcrafted by artisan Michael Blatnik.
The text reads: "Hallandose Luiz C. grabemente enfermo I no abia remedio que le irievce probe aho su Mama Refugio Cerrato. Aclamo al Senor de la Sangre de Cristo por su odibio I fue oida su peticion I oi le da las gracias oi tan Clementissimo Senor Maovoleon ano de 1866."
Translation from Spanish: "Finding Luiz C. gravely ill and there being no remedy that could be offered him, his poor mother, Refugio Cerrato, appealed to the Lord (Jesus) of the Blood of Christ for his recovery, and her petition was heard. She gave thanks to the Most Merciful Lord, in the year 1866.
What is an ex-Voto?
When a person survived a life-threatening situation or personal calamity, they would subsequently hire an artist to depict their story of diving intervention. They were created to offer thanks to the saint or deity who healed them and were considered an object given as a fulfilment of a vow. Although ex-votos originated as simple images of saints, eventually they were embellished with a short narrative describing the miracle that transpired. Once completed, these accounts would hang in the church as public professions of gratitude or faith. After a year, the vow was considered fulfilled and the ex-voto would be destroyed or sold.
Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo were avid collectors of ex-votos and because of their interest this wonderful form of folk art became popular among artists and aficionados alike.
10 ½ x 7 ¼ inches, Framed Size: 14 ¼ x 10 ¼ x ½ inches
