19th Century Retablo of Saint Jerome and Lion | 1800s
Here we have a stunning Spanish Colonial tin retablo painting representing Saint Jerome and his lion in the wilderness. You can soak in the colors, the folk art execution, and evidence of significant age....but I can't get over that lion. It's one of the best folk art depictions of one I've seen. Everything came into play when I pounced on this little gem. But the lion sent me into overdrive. The appearance of a skull always helps as well.
Here is more information about the Saint Jerome as depicted in art over the centuries, courtesy of Wikipedia:
Jerome is also often depicted with a lion, in reference to the popular hagiographical belief that Jerome had tamed a lion in the wilderness by healing its paw. The source for the story may actually have been the second century Roman tale of Androcles, or confusion with the exploits of Gerasimus (Jerome in later Latin is "Geronimus"); it is "a figment" found in the thirteenth-century Golden Legend by Jacobus de Voragine. Hagiographies of Jerome talk of his having spent many years in the Syrian desert, and artists often depict him in a "wilderness", which for West European painters can take the form of a wood.
The antique retablo painting comes out of the estate of a serious Mexican art collector in Iowa. I was told the painting was created either in the late 1700s or 1800s.
The antique Spanish Colonial retabro measures 14" tall by 10" wide. The colors are extremely vibrant. There is evidence of age throughout the painting (see pics), specifically the specles of rust(?) on the front and reverse. None of it takes away from the power of the piece. Please see all pics as they are part of the description.
I ship FedEx shipping to street addresses in the continental USA only (no PO Boxes). Free shipping on the amazing antique Mexican art.
