Welcome the patron saints into your home with these classical images
In Spanish, "retablo" (better known as "lamina" in old Mexico) means "behind the altar." These paintings of the patron saints began as oil paintings hanging in churches and cathedrals. The hundreds of patron saints depicted were thought to each remedy specific problems faced by worshipers on a daily basis. Believers also called upon the saints to bless them for events such as harvests or feasts and to maintain balance in their lives. Taos, NM artist Lynn Garlick has made a name for herself as a retabalero. She paints full-size versions of dozens of Catholic saints of her own design in the classical style. She then hand-prints small versions of these paintings onto Masonite and pine boards we sell here. "My original retablos are painted on board with watercolor. I produce these prints with a deep appreciation of the santero and what has come before," Lynn says. In the New World, retablo images helped in the conversion of the Indians to Catholicism by the Spanish. To help worshipers call upon the saints and pay homage to them in their daily lives, church officials wanted retablos to be available to worshipers to hang in their homes. Since the typical individual couldn't afford a classical painter to paint retablos for them, it became necessary for retablos to be mass produced. Small retablo factories were therefore established in 19th century Mexico, where hired artists (retableros) repainted the classical painting over and over again onto wood planks or tin. Lithography was also used. Worshipers then purchased them to hang on the walls of, and build shrines in, their homes.
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