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P E R U V I A N
FO L K A R T
Retablos and Sculpture by the Gonzalez Family of Huancayo |
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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 sculpted of a mix of plaster and cooked potato, or as in the case of the Gonzalez family of Huancayo, carved of maguey wood 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.
New Mexico magazine, featuring the work of the Gonzalez brothers, July, 2010.
Figure carrying cross by Gonzalez brothers, 2004 (photo by Anthony Fisher)
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Javier Gonzalez in Santa Fe, 2004 (photo by Anthony Fisher)
"Pedro and Javier Gonzalez credit their paternal grandfather, Don Pedro Abilio Gonzalez Flores, for their success. In teaching his grandsons the art of making imagineria, the elder gonzalez shared his love of the Peruvian heritage. For more than four decades, the gonzalez brothers have been working alongside their grandfather in a workshop beside a creek near an ancient road in the village of Aza, in the central Andes."
"In ancient Peru, the serpent-shaped maguey was considered a sacred tree, touching both the world below and the world above. During the 16th century, when master saint-makers arrived in peru from Spain, the artisans sought ways to make their icons lightweight for transport. The many Indian artisans who were forced to serve as apprentices used maguey. Acultural syncretism resulted that combined the occidental saint on the exterior and the sacred soul of the ancient maguey within."
(From biography at Santa Fe International Folk Art Market, 2006)
Pedro Gonzalez painting a santo figure in Santa Fe, 2004 (photo by Anthony Fisher)
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Adam and Eve - Retablo (#PGRTB1)
Pedro Gonzalez (Aza, Huancayo, Peru),
Painted maguey wood sculpture in painted wood box (Design may vary).
(8 1/2" h.. x 6" w. x 3 1/4" d.)
$128 |
Artist and Model - Retablo (#PGRTB2)
Javier Gonzalez (Aza, Huancayo, Peru),
Painted carved maguey wood sculpture in painted wood box
(6" h.. x 4" w. x 2 1/4" d.)
$62 |
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Musicos Muertes Retablo (#PGRTB3)
Javier Gonzalez (Aza, Huancayo, Peru),
Painted carved maguey wood sculpture in painted wood box. Musicians and instruments shown may vary.
(6" h.. x 4" w. x 2 1/4" d.)
$62 |
Until Death Do Us Part - Retablo (#PGRTB4)
Javier Gonzalez (Aza, Huancayo, Peru),
Painted carved maguey wood sculpture in painted wood box. Exact designs will vary,
(5 1/2" h.. x 4" w. x 2" d.)
$62 |
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Novios - Retablo (#PGRTB14)
Javier Gonzalez (Aza, Huancayo, Peru), 2007
Painted carved maguey wood sculpture in painted wood box
(8" h.. x 4 3/4" w. x 2 1/4" d.)
$135
Temporarily Out of Stock |
Adam and Eve - Retablo (#PGRTB6)
Javier Gonzalez (Aza, Huancayo, Peru),
Painted carved maguey wood sculpture in painted wood box
(6" h.. x 4" w. x 2" d.)
$62 |
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St. Francis - Retablo (#PGRTB7)
Pedro Gonzalez (Aza, Huancayo, Peru), 2008
Painted carved maguey wood sculpture in painted wood box
(7 1/2" h.. x 3 1/2" w. x 2" d.)
Design and colors may vary.
$95 |
La Sirena con Guitarra - Retablo (#PGRTB8)
Pedro Gonzalez (Aza, Huancayo, Peru), 2008
Painted carved maguey wood sculpture in painted wood box
(8 3/4" h.. x 4" w. x 2" d.)
Design and colors may vary.
$120 |
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Fiesta of the Dead - Retablo (#PGRTB5)
Javier Gonzalez (Aza, Huancayo, Peru), 2007
Painted carved maguey wood sculpture in painted wood box
(6 3/4" h.. x 8 1/4" w. x 3" d.)
$165 |
Orchestra of the Dead - Retablo (#PGRTB9)
Javier Gonzalez (Aza, Huancayo, Peru), 2007
Painted carved maguey wood sculpture in painted wood box
(6 3/4" h.. x 8 1/4" w. x 3" d.)
$178
SOLD 10/09 |
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Cross (#PGCRS2)
Pedro Gonzalez (Aza, Huancayo, Peru), c.2010
Painted carved maguey wood sculpture .
(17" h. x 8 3/4" w. x 3" d.)
Each piece is one-of-a-kind. Details may vary.
$275
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Noah's Ark - Sculpture/Ornament (#PGORN1)
Javier Gonzalez (Aza, Huancayo, Peru), 2006
Painted carved maguey wood sculpture .
(3 3/4" h. x 1 3/4" w. x 4 1/2" d.)
$32 |
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Nacimento (Nativity) - Retablo (#PGRTB10)
Pedro Gonzalez (Aza, Huancayo, Peru), 2008
Painted carved maguey wood sculpture in painted wood box
(5 3/4" h.. x 4" w. x 2" d.)
Design and colors may vary.
$62
SOLD 12/12 |
Sacred Heart - Retablo (#PGRTB11)
Gonzalez family (Aza, Huancayo, Peru), 2008
Painted carved maguey wood sculpture in painted wood box
(5 1/2" h.. x 4" w. x 2 1/4" d.)
Design and colors may vary.
$58 |
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Santa Rosa de Lima - Retablo (#PGRTB12)
Pedro Gonzalez (Aza, Huancayo, Peru), 2008
Painted carved maguey wood sculpture in painted wood box
(8 1/4" h.. x 3 1/4" w. x 2" d.)
Design and colors may vary.
$95
SOLD 9/09 |
Virgen de Guadalupe - Retablo (#PGRTB13)
Gonzalez family (Aza, Huancayo, Peru), 2008
Painted carved maguey wood sculpture in painted wood box
(8 1/4" h.. x 3 1/4" w. x 2" d.)
Design and colors may vary.
$95
SOLD 11/09 |
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La Sirena con Guitarra - Santo (#PGSTO2)
Javier Gonzalez (Aza, Huancayo, Peru), 2010
Painted carved maguey wood sculpture .
(9" h. x 3 1/2" w. x 2 1/2" d.)
Each piece is one-of-a-kind. Details may vary.
$195 |
Virgin Carrier - Santo (#PGSTO3)
Pedro Gonzalez Paucar (Aza, Huancayo, Peru), 2011
Painted carved maguey wood sculpture .
(10 1/4" h. x 4 1/2" w. x 4" d.)
Each piece is one-of-a-kind. Details may vary.
$195
SOLD 3/2012 |
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