Santos in Oaxaca's Ancient Churches
A study of santos in 16th-century and other churches in Oaxaca, Mexico.
Claire and Richard Stracke. Funded by a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation.
Santos in Oaxaca's Ancient ChurchesA study of santos in 16th-century and other churches in Oaxaca, Mexico.
Claire and Richard Stracke. Funded by a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation. |
San Isidro Labrador |
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San Isidro Labrador (Hat, team of oxen, angel, water gourd, basket, goad; blue cape with gold fringe).
Wood, gesso, paint; fabric cape; painted eyes; 3'3". The saint is shown driving a team of four oxen, which are disproportion-ately small. A red ox stands beside the team, and an 18" angel stands behind the figure and to its left. Sr. Lopez recounted the story of San Isidro. He was plowing the field when he heard the church bells. Rushing off to mass, he abandoned his team of oxen. When he returned, he found that an angel had completed his plowing for him. The oxen figures are given as gifts to the church by the mayordomías on San Isidro's feast day, May 15, at which time farmers bring their teams of oxen to be blessed. The figure wears a flat-topped hat with a rolled brim, a tunic reaching to mid-thigh, trousers, and boots. The cape is blue. Bare wood shows through at the lower right breast, where the gesso has chipped away. Location: Under a canopy in the narthex. |