This is a quintessential retablo depiction of the Virgin Mary, known in Mexico as Our Lady of Guadaloupe, who apparently appeared to Juan Diego on Tepeyac Hill, Mexico City, in 1531, wearing "clothes shone like the sun." It's ubiquity does not make me love it any less, though--hard to beat that star-studded deep blue cloak and spikes of golden light encircling her! I especially love the loss of paint on the face of this one, making her feel quite ghostly, with just the suggestion of two eyes remaining. And maybe best of all, the truly cherubic angel below, gripping the tails of the cloak while looking straight out at us.
10" x 7". Late 19th/early 20th century I would guess. Paint loss and some rusting as evident, all to the good in my opinion. There are a couple of small holes at top for hanging.
