Ex Voto; Holy Tribute for the Return to Good Health, Retablo, 1922

Ex Voto; Holy Tribute for the Return to Good Health. Oil on tin with ink, May 31, 1922, by Mexican artist V. Cervantes with a contemporary custom frame hand-carved by artisan Michael Blatnik. Ex-Voto is 7 ½ x 11 inches and the outer framed dimension is 15 x 18 inches.

Padeci una hemorragia un ane cuatro meses viendo que no tenia remedio fui a la capital a curarme; medico opine que nesesario operation, ofreciendo al Senor Del calavario si quedaba buena y como testimonia pongo este en el Santuario de tan mi ingrosa imagen. Huichapan Mayo 31 de 1922. Porforia Rodriquez.

English Translation of the Spanish; I suffered a hemorrhage four months ago, seeing that I was not healing, I went to the Capital to be cured; The doctor thought that the operation would be necessary, I consented. Offering a present to 'The Lord of Calavary' (refers to a glowing image of Jesus) and if it the (surgery) turned out well, hanging this humble image of me in the Sanctuary as testimony. Huichapan May 31, 1922. Porforia Rodriquez.
This Ex Voto is signed by the artist; V. Cervantes C. Pinto

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.