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Retablos by Claudio Jimenez Quispe |
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| 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 siblings Nicario, Eleudora and Mabilon, and nephew and niece Luis and Julia Huamani Rodriguez are also skilled retablistas. |
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 |
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Panaderia (Bakery) - Retablo (#PRTB-2)
Claudio Jimenez Quispe (Peru), c.2009
Painted plaster sculpture in painted wood box
(10 1/4" h.. x 11 1/2" w. x 3 1/4" d.)
Individual designs will vary.
$450 |
The Shepherd, the Priest and the Soldier - Retablo (#PRTB-5)
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 |
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The Final Judgement - Retablo (#PRTB8-1)
The Final Judgement - Retablo (#PRTB-8-2)
The Final Judgement - Retablo (#PRTB-8)
Claudio Jimenez Quispe (Peru), c.2009
Painted plaster sculpture in painted wood box
(14 1/4" h. x 8" w. x 3" d.)
Note: exact designs will vary.
$550 |
Casa de los Gatos II (The House of Cats) - Retablo (#PRTB-17)
Claudio Jimenez Quispe (Peru), c.2009
Painted plaster sculpture in painted wood box
(`10" h. x 11 3/4" w. x 3"" d.)
Designs will vary.
$450 |
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Cosecha de Tunas (Cactus Harvest) - Retablo (#PRTB-28)
Claudio Jimenez (Peru), 2006
Painted plaster sculpture in painted wood box
(`9 1/2" h. x 11 3/4" w. x 3" d.)
SOLD 7/07 |
Casa de Corazones (Valentine Workshop) - Retablo (#PRTB-55)
Claudio Jimenez Quispe and Vicenta Flores Atausis(Peru), c.2009
Painted plaster sculpture in painted wood box
(13 1/2" h.. x 8" w. x 3" d.)
Individual designs will vary.
$550
SOLD 5/13 |
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Music Shop - Retablo (#PRTB-56)
Claudio Jimenez Quispe (Peru), c.2009
Painted plaster sculpture in painted wood box
(10 1/4" h.. x 11 1/2" w. x 3 1/4" d.)
Individual designs will vary.
$450 |
Retablo Shop - Retablo (1st version) (#PRTB62-1)
Retablo Shop - Retablo (2nd version) (#PRTB62-2)
Retablo Shop - Retablo (3rd version) (#PRTB62-3)
Retablo Shop - Retablo (4th version) (#PRTB62-4)
Retablo Shop - Retablo (#PRTB-62)
Claudio Jimenez Quispe (Peru), c.2008, 2009, 2010
Painted plaster sculpture in painted wood box
(13 3/4" h.. x 8" w. x 3" d.)
Four versions shown. Individual designs will vary.
$550 |
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Mask Shop Extra Large Retablo (#PRTB-65)
Claudio Jimenez Quispe (Peru), c.2008, 2010
Painted plaster sculpture in painted wood box
(14" h.. x 15" w. x 4" d.)
Individual designs will vary. Format may be vertical or horizontal.
$1600 |
 Mask Shop - Retablo (1st version)
(#PRTB72-1) SOLD
 Mask Shop - Retablo (2nd version)
(#PRTB72-2)
SOLD
Mask Shop - Retablo (3rd version)
(#PRTB72-3)
SOLD
Mask Shop - Retablo (#PRTB-72)
Claudio Jimenez (Peru), c.2011
Painted plaster sculpture w/ wood, other materials in painted wood box
(13 3/4" h. x 8" w. x 3" d.)
Designs may vary (3 versions shown).
$550
SOLD 3/13 |
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Tienda de Corazones (Wedding in the heart shop) Extra Large Retablo (#PRTB-66)
Claudio Jimenez Quispe (Peru), c.2008
Painted plaster sculpture in painted wood box
(17 1/2" h.. x 11" w. x 4" d.)
$1600
SOLD 1/2013 |
Nacimiento (Nativity) - Retablo (#PRTB-21)
Claudio Jimenez (Peru), c.2009
Painted plaster sculpture in painted wood box
(`9 1/2" h. x 11 3/4" w. x 3" d.)
Designs will vary.
$450 |
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La Casa de los Perros (House of Dogs) - Retablo (#PRTB-22)
Claudio Jimenez (Peru), c.2009
Painted plaster sculpture in painted wood box
(`9 3/4" h. x 11 3/4" w. x 3" d.)
Designs will vary.
$450 |
Noah's Ark - Retablo (#PRTB-70)
Claudio Jimenez (Peru), c.2011
Painted plaster sculpture w/ wood, other materials in painted wood box
(`9 1/2" h. x 11 3/4" w. x 3" d.)
Designs may vary.
$550 |
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Nacimiento Campesino (Peasant Nativity) - Retablo (#PRTB-71)
Claudio Jimenez (Peru), c.2011
Painted plaster sculpture w/ wood, other materials in painted wood box
(`9 1/2" h. x 11 3/4" w. x 3" d.)
Designs may vary.
$550
SOLD 1/2013 |
Nacimiento 3 ( Nativity 3) - Retablo (#PRTB-74)
Claudio Jimenez (Peru), c.2011
Painted plaster sculpture w/ wood, other materials in painted wood box
(13 3/4" h. x 8" w. x 3" d.)
Designs may vary.
$550 |
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Frida Kahlo - Wounded Deer Retablo (#PRTB-80)
Claudio Jimenez Quispe (Peru), c.2012
Painted plaster sculpture in painted wood box
(7" h. x 6 1/4" w. x 2 1/4" d.)
$210 |
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Day of the Dead Retablos by Claudio Jimenez
Retablo Heart Ornaments by Claudio Jimenez
Retablo Devil Ornaments by Claudio Jimenez
Retablos and Sculpture from the Gonzalez Family of Huancayo |
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