Mexican Retablo Depicting the Soul of Mary or Our Lady of the Dove

Roses in her hair, a dove on her chest and one slightly lopsided face

This Retablo depicting the soul of mary or our lady of the dove is from Mexico, and dates to the 19th century. It is paint & tin. Retablos were first painted on wood, canvas and copper for churches, but cheap tin sheets in the nineteenth century made paintings of saints affordable across every class of society. A large painting of a woman with long brown hair and red roses, wearing a lace collar and holding her hand to her chest. A white dove and lilies lie across the gown against a teal ground. Paint losses show in the blue sky. It is 13 inches wide and 17 high.

Charming wonky proportions, and not one bit of fuss about it.