Santa Rita de Casia 19th Century Hand Painted on Tin

Santa Rita de Casia 19th Century Hand Painted on Tin

Anonymous Artisan

Retablos

Ht” 14″ x W. 9.5″

Retablos, small devotional paintings, usually oil on tin, were brought to the new world by the Spanish, who taught indigenous artists. The quality of the painting is sometimes exquisite with expressive faces, sometimes more naïve and charming. Retablos are excellent examples of folk art. They were widely used over altars in churches or purchased by parishioners to hang in their homes.

Cascia is a small town in Umbria, Italy. Rita was an Augustinian nun who advocated mortification of the flesh and earnest prayer. She is the patron saint of abused wives and heartbroken women and of impossible causes.