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Mi Casa Gallery has one of the finest collections of Latin America
religious art in the United States. We offer a unique line of
devotional art, mainly from Mexico, consisting of antique paintings of
Christian icons inspired by European masters. These paintings of oil
on tinplate, copper, wooden "tablas" and canvas are called retablos
santos, laminas, ex-votos. Rare votive art
forms such as the ones in our collection were commissioned by faithful
Roman Catholics and created by gifted local artists, many of whom had
little formal artistic training. They were placed in private homes and
chapels
Retablos is a word derived from Latin meaning "artwork of a
religious or biblical theme," such as objects found
"retro" (behind) the "tabula" (altar) in churches
and cathedrals throughout Mexico. In the 18th and 19th century, many
citizens of the central highlands in Mexico were encouraged to place
small votive images of the Holy Family, patron saints and martyrs on
the walls of their homes or places of business as an act of faith.
Additional votive art at Mi Casa consists of santos or bultos
(wood carved statues and ceramic figures) and nichos (frames,
shadow boxes and glass cabinets with religious images).
Mi Casa has assembled one of the largest
collections of museum quality votive art available in the Southwest.
We also have vintage crucifixes and crosses, medallions, and rosaries.
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