Kneeling Women in Polka Dots, Very Folky Masterpiece of an Ex Voto Retablo on Heavy Tin, 1944

I splurged a bit (by my standards) on this one, but couldn't not do so--truly among my very favorite ex voto retablos I've ever seen, and I think something of a folk art masterpiece! I find those two kneeling women with raised hands and very painterly polka dotted dresses at right as perfectly full of life as anything out there, and then this tiny woman in black and white kneeling by her tiny bed (and what a marvelously visceral spikiness to the that bed frame!)--all feeling just pure, soulful embodiments of woeful but faith-full pleading. With a wonderfully folky Virgin of San Juan de Los Lagos at center--looking a bit like a Christmas three standing on an urn!--answering the prayers of Senora Marina Solinas and her family. And with this rich mustardy gold ground that takes the whole painting to another level of vibrancy and intensity. Marvelous.

 8 5/8" x 6 3/4". Very good condition, dated 1944 (or perhaps 1946), Tultitlan, Mexico. Painted on especially thick, heavy tin. Even better in hand, with wonderful richness of color and surface--that yellow more complex and excellent in person.