Santos de Nuevo Mexico
Charlie Carrillo
Created : 1995-96
Donated : 1996
Medium : Retablo
Dimensions: 4″”x12″”
Located: 3rd Floor,Rotunda
Santos de Nuevo Mexico (1995–6)
Hand Adzed Ponderosa Pine, Natural Pigments, Piñon Sap Varnish
Charlie Carrillo (b. 1956)
Santa Fe
Gift of Marjorie Atwood and the Donaldson Charitable Trust Fund
From left to right, the history of New Mexico is told from the point of view of the santos. The first panel depicts the Franciscans, who established missions when New Mexico was first colonized in 1598. After the Pueblo Revolt of 1680, these missions were abandoned, then reestablished in 1694, remaining until the time of the Mexican Republic in 1821.
The next image shows La Conquistadora, “Our Lady of Peace.” This image was originally brought to New Mexico by Benavides and rescued by colonists during the Pueblo Revolt. It was returned with the De Vargas recolonization, thus her name, “The Conqueror.” This image represents our Spanish heritage since New Mexico was a colony of Spain from 1598 until 1821.
In the large center piece is a carved figure of San Ysidro with two oxen. San Ysidro is the patron saint of farmers and laborers. After the colonization of New Mexico by Spain, farming remained a way of life and generations of New Mexican Hispanics and Native Americans have prayed to San Ysidro for successful planting and harvest. San Ysidro is dressed in typical man’s garb of the Colonial Period.
Next is an image of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe. She is identified with Native Americans and is patroness of the Republic of Mexico. From 1821 until 1846, all people in New Mexico were citizens of Mexico. She became a symbol of the blending of two cultures—of the New World, Spanish and Indian.
The final panel shows St. Joseph, symbol of fatherhood, patron of families, carpenters and all workers.
Each panel is done in traditional Spanish Colonial designs. The wood used is ponderosa pine or cottonwood and is all prepared by hand. All the pigments used are natural—vegetable dyes, mineral pigments, clays or beetle juice made from crushed larvae. The varnish is made from piñon sap and grain alcohol, with a protective layer of beeswax. The whole piece took about five months to complete.
Artist Note:
Charlie Carrillo is a master santero (saint maker), whose work bridges traditional Spanish Colonial devotional art with historical storytelling. Known for his historically informed techniques and deep cultural knowledge, Carrillo has helped revive and preserve the santero tradition in New Mexico.
