I finally got myself a long-desired painting of the Madonna and Child. To me, the handmade frame is an integral part of the work. The whole thing is just exactly what I love: over-the-top gold and decoration, but in a down-to-earth, humble way.
Thank you for all the details in this post! It is indeed an underrated genre!
Yes, the frames are so integral. I’ve seen a few with beaded frames, and sometimes the copper frames are elaborately decorated/painted too.
“Over-the-top gold and decoration, but in a down-to-earth, humble way” —That is such a good description. There is a humility isn't there? I think it keeps this style from seeming mawkish like so much of Catholic devotional art from the 18th century.
Thank you for bringing this to light! This art is the highest order of the form we might otherwise call “folk art”. There is much to admire in the humble and direct way the artists portrayed St. Joseph and the Holy Family with such regal fullness. While the images may lack academic style, the sophisticated mind should stumble if tempted to call it primitive art. The description you note from St. Bernard of Clairvaux must be the inspiration for the Prayer to St. Joseph in my St. Joseph Continuous Sunday Missal. The prayer says it as: “O Blessed Joseph, happy man, to whom it was given not only to see and hear that God Whom many kings longed to see and saw not, to hear and heard not; but also to carry Him in your arms, to embrace Him, to clothe Him and to guard and defend Him.” St. Joseph, pray for us.
I learned so much from this article! Never really thought about Joseph outside of Oscar Isaac's performance in The Nativity Story. And definitely had no idea this art style existed. The palm and lily symbolism, and particularly the marks of Incan royalty with the red sandals and fine wool and gold-decorated garments, are so fascinating. I love seeing the ways that cultures all over the world have laid their crowns at His feet.
Thank you Hope! I love the way you put that—”laid their crowns at his feet.” It is always fun to see how different cultures authentically weave their own traditions into sacred art/religious culture.
Thank you Alice! It is certainly underrated and written about, but if you go to churches out west or in Texas, you’ll see it. Some of the oldest churches in America are made in a similar style.
Yes, in our visit to Spain, there’re statues and paintings of St. Joseph in almost every church. Warmed my heart to see that. Thanks for sharing this art and article with us. God bless you 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
I have a reproduction of a Cuzco school ángel arquebucero on my living room wall. It feels like a particularly well-prepared guardian angel for the house :)
Well, this was quite the treat! Since my hometown is filled with Spanish art, the genre is close to my heart. Thank you so much for sharing these insights.
Your article made me appreciate more the Cuzco school and style of art. The comparison to Joseph of the Old Testament was intriguing and had me reflecting on what could be other similarities.
Thank you sister, once again, an outstanding explanation of Liturgical Art. Saint Joseph the Betrothed has a special place ⚜️⛪🌐🪚 in the Communion of the Saints in the West, as does the Forerunner and Baptist Saint John 🌴🕊️💦🗡️ in the East. The veneration, intercession and supplication of BOTH Saints José and Juan is a wonderful mercy and special grace added to our prayers. The Peruvian School, while not traditional by orthodox iconographic standards, has a very wonderful ability to 'reach out' from the surface 🔥 that, I believe, is in concert with the 'meaning' of all true Holy Icons: to reveal and reflect the Incarnate Grace of Jesus Christ, Father, Son, Holy Spirit ~ONE GOD. 📖 🎶 "Go to Joseph", Ora et Labora, Σοφία Χάρης Αγάπη Δόξα! ✨ Good Strength for the Fast, onward to Jerusalem ☦️ ♥️ 🔔🕯️📿 to behold His empty Tomb...
“Reach out from the surface.” love that. Thank you. True. Saint John the Baptist is certainly due for a comeback in the Western church. Saint John and Saint Joseph, pray for us.
I love, love, love this art form.
I finally got myself a long-desired painting of the Madonna and Child. To me, the handmade frame is an integral part of the work. The whole thing is just exactly what I love: over-the-top gold and decoration, but in a down-to-earth, humble way.
Thank you for all the details in this post! It is indeed an underrated genre!
Yes, the frames are so integral. I’ve seen a few with beaded frames, and sometimes the copper frames are elaborately decorated/painted too.
“Over-the-top gold and decoration, but in a down-to-earth, humble way” —That is such a good description. There is a humility isn't there? I think it keeps this style from seeming mawkish like so much of Catholic devotional art from the 18th century.
Yes!
While I was out grocery shopping I was thinking about it, and I thought, I should say "Fancy and Humble"! 😆
Thank you for bringing this to light! This art is the highest order of the form we might otherwise call “folk art”. There is much to admire in the humble and direct way the artists portrayed St. Joseph and the Holy Family with such regal fullness. While the images may lack academic style, the sophisticated mind should stumble if tempted to call it primitive art. The description you note from St. Bernard of Clairvaux must be the inspiration for the Prayer to St. Joseph in my St. Joseph Continuous Sunday Missal. The prayer says it as: “O Blessed Joseph, happy man, to whom it was given not only to see and hear that God Whom many kings longed to see and saw not, to hear and heard not; but also to carry Him in your arms, to embrace Him, to clothe Him and to guard and defend Him.” St. Joseph, pray for us.
I love that prayer. Thank you!
I learned so much from this article! Never really thought about Joseph outside of Oscar Isaac's performance in The Nativity Story. And definitely had no idea this art style existed. The palm and lily symbolism, and particularly the marks of Incan royalty with the red sandals and fine wool and gold-decorated garments, are so fascinating. I love seeing the ways that cultures all over the world have laid their crowns at His feet.
Thank you Hope! I love the way you put that—”laid their crowns at his feet.” It is always fun to see how different cultures authentically weave their own traditions into sacred art/religious culture.
I really enjoyed this and I was unaware of this style of Liturgical art, but I think I'm a fan of it now.
I truly enjoyed learning about it and I appreciate the links to further resources too.
Good work and thank you.
Thank you Alice! It is certainly underrated and written about, but if you go to churches out west or in Texas, you’ll see it. Some of the oldest churches in America are made in a similar style.
Maybe I'll get to see it out West sometime. I'm originally from there.
Yes, in our visit to Spain, there’re statues and paintings of St. Joseph in almost every church. Warmed my heart to see that. Thanks for sharing this art and article with us. God bless you 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Thank you for sharing that! How wonderful. I hope to visit Spain some day!
Beautiful! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you!
Wonderful writing and beautiful images, Amelia!
Thank you Sherry!
the detail about the red sandals is wonderful!
I have a reproduction of a Cuzco school ángel arquebucero on my living room wall. It feels like a particularly well-prepared guardian angel for the house :)
Yes, I love the Cuzco school angels!
I love PESSCA for searching this genre... I meant to look for San José today, thanks for sharing!
Thank you for the tip! I'll have to look there.
*waving from SA*
Well, this was quite the treat! Since my hometown is filled with Spanish art, the genre is close to my heart. Thank you so much for sharing these insights.
Thank you Angela! I miss SA!
¡Muchos abrazos con pan dulce desde San Anto! 🤗
Your article made me appreciate more the Cuzco school and style of art. The comparison to Joseph of the Old Testament was intriguing and had me reflecting on what could be other similarities.
It really is so unique. I like the playful aspect too. Yes, that quote from Saint Bernard is so rich.
I love this art—the opposite of impersonal minimalism —the abundance of images and color and gold is so refreshing and lovable.
Wow. Loved that. Unknown world of the Baroque.
Thank you! Hope to cover it more in future posts.
Please do....
Wonderful essay. Thank you!
Thank you!
Oh my, is that lead Cuzco image not wonderful? What a great choice!
Yes, it really is striking.
Thank you sister, once again, an outstanding explanation of Liturgical Art. Saint Joseph the Betrothed has a special place ⚜️⛪🌐🪚 in the Communion of the Saints in the West, as does the Forerunner and Baptist Saint John 🌴🕊️💦🗡️ in the East. The veneration, intercession and supplication of BOTH Saints José and Juan is a wonderful mercy and special grace added to our prayers. The Peruvian School, while not traditional by orthodox iconographic standards, has a very wonderful ability to 'reach out' from the surface 🔥 that, I believe, is in concert with the 'meaning' of all true Holy Icons: to reveal and reflect the Incarnate Grace of Jesus Christ, Father, Son, Holy Spirit ~ONE GOD. 📖 🎶 "Go to Joseph", Ora et Labora, Σοφία Χάρης Αγάπη Δόξα! ✨ Good Strength for the Fast, onward to Jerusalem ☦️ ♥️ 🔔🕯️📿 to behold His empty Tomb...
“Reach out from the surface.” love that. Thank you. True. Saint John the Baptist is certainly due for a comeback in the Western church. Saint John and Saint Joseph, pray for us.