The Holy Family (La Sagrada Familia)
Painting on metal plate (Retablo) • Anonymous Mexican Folk Artist (Petenero or local provincial santero)
Style & Movement
Mexican Colonial/Provincial Folk Art (Retablo Tradition)
Medium & Technique
Oil or Encaustic on tin/zinc support; folk painting technique using flat color planes and linear detailing
Creation Period
Mid-to-Late 19th Century (c. 1850-1890)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 10x14 inches; Vertical Portrait format
Subject Description
The Holy Family walking, featuring the Virgin Mary holding a lily, St. Joseph holding a flowering staff, and the Child Jesus in the center. Symbols include the flowering rod (Joseph's purity/divine choice) and the stylized clouds representing Heaven.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair; significant surface abrasion, oxidation of the metal support, and loss of pigment in the lower quadrant.
Estimated Market Value
$300 - $600 USD
Auction Estimate
$250 - $450 USD
Provenance History
Likely originated as a private devotional object for a home altar in Mexico; subsequent transit through the secondary antique market.
Art Historical Significance
Significant as a piece of 'living' devotional history, representing the democratization of religious art in post-colonial Mexico via inexpensive tin supports.
Notable Features
Features a unique 'primitive' style with stylized almond-shaped eyes and exaggerated proportions; the use of a common household metal plate as a substrate is a hallmark of this genre.
Condition Issues
Extensive paint loss (flaking) due to metal expansion/contraction, surface scratches, substantial oxidation of the tin plate, and accumulation of surface grime.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional stabilization of flaking paint, cleaning by a specialist in metals, and framing in a shadow box with UV-protective glass to prevent further moisture-induced rusting.