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Retablos by the Jimenez Family and Others
The term retablo traditionally applies to a broad variety of religious images which are painted and sculpted over much of Latin America. The word is derived from the Latin retro tabula, which means behind the (altar) table, where devotional images were typically placed. In Mexico, New Mexico and Guatemala retablo (or strictly speaking, retablo santo) has taken the form of images of Christ, the virgin, or the saints, painted on tin or wood. Carved and painted wood sculptures of saints and religious figures set in shallow boxes are generally referred to as nichos in this area.

The Peruvian retablo is, in a sense, a blend of the two forms. Figures of individual saints may be carved or sculpted of a mix of plaster and cooked potato and set in a shadow box, like a nicho. But frequently, as in the pieces shown here, they take the form of a three dimensional painting of a scene, consisting of many figures in very complex environments. The boxes form miniature houses or shrines, often with opening doors and a gable above the opening. Typically both the doors and the sides of the box are covered with an ornate, polychrome floral decoration. The Peruvian retablos traditionally serve as household shrines, which combine folk and Christian tradiions. The art form has evolved to include the depiction of secular scenes of daily life in Peru, such as markets, shops, harvests, weddings and other ceremonies. In some cases the subject matter may even be political, depicting the turmoil of the last few years.

Claudio Jimenez Quispe is an internationally renowned maker of retablos. Originally from a famous family of retablo makers in Ayacucho, he now works in Lima. His work has been exhibited all over the world, and he frequently demonstrates his exquisite technique, as at Santa Fe's International Folk Art Market in 2004. Other members of his family, such as Nicario, Eleudora and Mabilon are also skilled retablistas.



The Retablo Shop - detail of a retablo by Eleudora and Mabilon Jimenez





Claudio Jimenez Quispe at work at
International Folk Art Market
Santa Fe, NM, July 2004



Claudio Jimenez Quispe with his Casa de los Gatos retablo in Santa Fe. July 2005


Fiesta - Retablo (#PRTB6)
Edilberto, Eleudora and Mabilon Jimenez (Peru), c.2004
Painted plaster sculpture in painted wood box
(5 1/2" h. x 6" w. x 2 1/4" d.)

$95 SOLD 1/06



The Shepherd, the Priest and the Soldier - Retablo (#PRTB5)
Claudio Jimenez Quispe (Peru), c.2000
Painted plaster sculpture in painted wood box
(7 1/2" h. x 6 1/4" w. x 2 3/4" d.)

$255



Large Mask Shop Retablo (#PRTB7)



Medium Mask Shop Retablo (#PRTB7-med.)


The Mask Shop - Retablo (#PRTB7)
Eleudora and Mabilon Jimenez (Peru), c.2006
Painted plaster sculpture in painted wood box
(13 3/4" h. x 7 3/4" w. x 3 1/4" d.)

$295

Medium Mask Shop - Retablo (#PRTB7-med.)
Eleudora and Mabilon Jimenez (Peru), c.2005
Painted plaster sculpture in painted wood box
(9 1/2" h. x 8" w. x 3" d.)

$195
SOLD 3/08

Small Mask Shop - Retablo (#PRTB7-sm.)
Eleudora and Mabilon Jimenez (Peru), c.2005
Painted plaster sculpture in painted wood box
(7 1/2" h. x 4" w. x 2 1/4" d.)

(Smal retablo not shown, but design similar)

$110

SOLD 12/07



The Virgin of Guadalupe - Retablo (#PRTB9)
Eleudora and Mabilon Jimenez (Peru), c.2004
Painted plaster sculpture in painted wood box (design may vary)
(7 1/2" h. x 4" w. x 2" d.)

$95 SOLD 6/07



The Retablo Shop - Retablo (#PRTB11)
Eleudora and Mabilon Jimenez (Peru), c.2005
Painted plaster sculpture in painted wood box
(9 3/4" h. x 12" w. x 3" d.)

$295 SOLD 11/07

Medium Retablo Shop - Retablo (#PRTB11-med.)
Eleudora and Mabilon Jimenez (Peru), c.2005
Painted plaster sculpture in painted wood box
(9 1/2" h. x 8" w. x 3" d.)

$195



Nascimento (Nativity) - Retablo (#PRTB13)
Eleudora and Mabilon Jimenez (Peru), c.2004
Painted plaster sculpture in painted wood box
(`10" h. x 12" w. x 3" d.)

$195 SOLD 8/06



Curandero de la Selva (Jungle Healer) Retablo (#PRTB15)
Eleudora and Mabilon Jimenez (Peru), c.2005
Painted plaster sculpture in painted wood box
(`9 1/2" h. x 11 3/4" w. x 3"" d.)

$275 SOLD 9/06



Bodega (Store) - Retablo (#PRTB16)
Eleudora and Mabilon Jimenez (Peru), c.2005
Painted plaster sculpture in painted wood box
(`13 1/2" h. x 8" w. x 3 1/2" d.)

$295

SOLD 2/08



Mercado de las Frutas (Fruit Market) - Retablo (#PRTB18)
Eleudora and Mabilon Jimenez (Peru), c.2005
Painted plaster sculpture in painted wood box
(`9 1/2" h. x 11 3/4" w. x 3" d.)

$265

Out of Stock



Large Mask Shop Retablo (#PRTB19)




Medium Mask Shop Retablo (#PRTB19-med.)


Carnaval Musicians - Retablo (#PRTB19)
Mabilon, Eleudora & Edilberto Jimenez (Peru), c.2005
Painted plaster sculpture in painted wood box
(`10" h. x 11 3/4" w. x 3"" d.)

$295
Carnaval Musicuians - Retablo (#PRTB19-med)
Mabilon & EledoraJimenez (Peru), 2006
Painted plaster sculpture in painted wood box
(`9 1/2" h. x 8" w. x 3" d.)

$195 SOLD 12/06



Crucifixion - Retablo (#PRTB23)
B. Pizarro (Peru), 2005
Painted plaster sculpture in painted wood box (colors and specific design may vary)
(`10 1/2" h. x 8" w. x 3" d.)

$175 SOLD 1/07



Noah's Ark - Retablo (#PRTB24)
Luis & Julia Huamani Rodriguez (Ayacucho, Peru), c.2005
Painted plaster sculpture in painted wood box (colors and specific design may vary)
(`10 1/2" h. x 8" w. x 3" d.)

$175



Cosecha de Tunas (Cactus Harvest) - Retablo (#PRTB28)
Claudio Jimenez (Peru), 2006
Painted plaster sculpture in painted wood box
(`9 1/2" h. x 11 3/4" w. x 3" d.)

$295 SOLD 7/07



Santa Rosa de Lima - Retablo (#PRTB29)
Mabilon & Eleudora Jimenez (Peru), 2006
Painted plaster sculpture in painted wood box (colors and design may vary)
(`13 3/4" h. x 8" w. x 3 1/4" d.)

$295

SOLD 12/2007



Virgen de Guadalupe - Retablo Frame (without doors) (#PRTB30)
Mabilon & Eleudora Jimenez (Peru), 2006
Painted plaster sculpture in painted wood box
(`9" h. x 8" w. x 1 1/2" d.)

$78 SOLD 10/07



Nacimiento (Nativity) (#PRTB34)
Claudio Jimenez (Peru), 2006
Painted plaster sculpture in painted wood box
(`7 1/2" h. x 3 3/4" w. x 1 3/4" d.)

$11`0



Frida y Diego - Retablo (#PRTB31)
Claudio Jimenez (Peru), 2006
Painted plaster sculpture in painted wood box
(`8" h. x 5 1/4" w. x 2 1/2" d.)

$125

SOLD 5/08



Temptation - Retablo (#PRTB32)
Alcidez Quispe Lurae (Peru), 2006
Painted plaster sculpture in painted wood box
(`8" h. x 5 1/2" w. x 2 1/2" d.)

$125



Dance of the Negritos - Retablo (#PRTB35)
Mabilon Jimenez (Peru), 2006
Painted plaster sculpture in painted wood box
(`93/4" h. x 11 3/4" w. x 3" d.)

$295



Cosecha de Tunas (Cactus Harvest) - Retablo (#PRTB38)
Luis & Julia Huamani Rodriguez (Peru), c.2007
Painted plaster sculpture in painted wood box
(`9 1/2" h. x 11 3/4" w. x 3" d.)

$295

SOLD 1/08



Flower Harvest - Retablo (#PRTB39)
Luis & Julia Huamani Rodriguez (Peru), c.2007
Painted plaster sculpture in painted wood box (colors and specific design may vary)
(`9 1/2" h. x 11 3/4" w. x 3" d.)

$295



Nacimento (Nativity) - Retablo (#PRTB40)
Luis & Julia Huamani Rodriguez (Peru), c.2007
Painted plaster sculpture in painted wood box (colors and specific design may vary)
(`10 1/2" h. x 8" w. x 3" d.)

$175



Weaving Shop - Retablo (#PRTB41)
Luis & Julia Huamani Rodriguez (Peru), c.2007
Painted plaster sculpture in painted wood box (colors and specific design may vary)
(10 1/2" h. x 8" w. x 3" d.)

$175

Small Weaving Shop - Retablo (#PRTB41-sm)
Luis & Julia Huamani Rodriguez (Peru), c.2007
Painted plaster sculpture in painted wood box (small retablo not shown, but design similar)
(5 1/2" h. x 4 1/4" w. x 1 1/2" d.)

$68



Mask Shop - Retablo (#PRTB43)
Luis & Julia Huamani Rodriguez (Peru), c.2007
Painted plaster sculpture in painted wood box (colors and specific design may vary)
(`10 1/2" h. x 8" w. x 3" d.)

$295

SOLD 12/07


Cantina Retablo (#PRTB44)


Medium Cantina Retablo (#PRTB44-med.)


Cantina - Retablo (#PRTB44)
Eleudora and Mabilon Jimenez (Peru), c.2007
Painted plaster sculpture in painted wood box
(`13 1/2" h. x 8" w. x 3 1/2" d.)

$295

SOLD 5/08

Medium Cantina - Retablo (#PRTB44-med)
Eleudora and Mabilon Jimenez (Peru), c.2007
Painted plaster sculpture in painted wood box
(`9 1/2" h. x 8" w. x 3" d.)

$195



Weaving Shop - Retablo (#PRTB45)
Eleudora and Mabilon Jimenez (Peru), c.2007
Painted plaster sculpture in painted wood box
(`13 1/2" h. x 8" w. x 3 1/2" d.)

$295

SOLD 12/07

Medium Weaving Shop - Retablo (#PRTB45-med)
Eleudora and Mabilon Jimenez (Peru), c.2007
Painted plaster sculpture in painted wood box
(`9 1/2" h. x 8" w. x 3" d.)

$195 Out of Stock



Flower Shop - Retablo (#PRTB46)
Luis & Julia Huamani Rodriguez (Peru), c.2007
Painted plaster sculpture in painted wood box (colors and specific design may vary)
(`9 1/2" h. x 11 3/4" w. x 3" d.)

$295



Panaderia (Bakery) - Retablo (#PRTB47)
Eleudora and Mabilon Jimenez (Peru), c.2005
Painted plaster sculpture in painted wood box
(`93/4" h. x 11 3/4" w. x 3" d.)

$295

SOLD 5/08



Curandero (Healer) - Retablo (#PRTB48-med)
Eleudora and Mabilon Jimenez (Peru), c.2007
Painted plaster sculpture in painted wood box
(`9 1/2" h. x 8" w. x 3" d.)

$195

SOLD 1/08



Hat Shop Retablo (#PRTB50-med)
Eleudora and Mabilon Jimenez (Peru), c.2007
Painted plaster sculpture in painted wood box
(`9 1/2" h. x 8" w. x 3" d.)

$195



Frida Retablo (#PRTB51)
Claudio Jimenez (Peru), 2007
Painted plaster sculpture in painted wood box
(`8" h. x 5 1/4" w. x 2 1/2" d.)

$125


Wedding Retablo Tu Y Yo Siempre Juntos (#PRTB52)
Alcidez Quispe Luzae (Peru), 2006
Painted plaster sculpture in painted wood box
(`6" h. x 5" w. x 2" d.)

$110

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Day of the Dead Retablos
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