Cristo Negro de Esquipulas / Black Christ of Esquipulas, Guatemala Retablo #176 Mexican Ex Voto Paintings oil paintings were executed by multiple Mexican Artists between 1800 and 1940, which were used by many Devout Religious Followers to petition Christ and the Virgin Mary for Healing Miracles, or to express Gratitude for Acts of Divine Mercy.
In rural areas of Mexico, Ex Votos were commissioned paintings on a small scale and were most often created with oil paint on zinc roofing tin. Each Ex Voto depicted a castotrphic or traumatic Event in the Follower's or the Follower's Family Life, as well as the Saint to whom the vow was made and who assisted in granting the Miracle.
The Cristos Negros or Black Christs of Central America and Mexico trace their origins to the veneration of an image of Christ on a cross located in the Guatemalan town of Esquipulas, near the Honduran and Salvadoran border. This image was sculpted in 1595 in wood and over time it blackened and gained a reputation for being miraculous. Little is known of how veneration of the image was spread by clergy, although there are records of its introduction in various locations, especially in Central America, southern Mexico, central Mexico (especially in areas near Mexico City) and even as far north as New Mexico. However, a number of these images, such as the ones in Chalma, State of Mexico and Mérida, Yucatán have origin stories that do not connect the local image with that of Esquipulas. The Cristo Negro of Esquipulas remains an important symbol for Central America, with its sanctuary the most visited site in the region. On January 11, 2021, a replica of Christ of Esquipulas and his accompanying statues (Sorrowful Virgin, Mary Magdalene, and St. John Apostle) were donated to Saint Joseph Cathedral of Antigua Guatemala (a city formerly known as Santiago Knights of Guatemala and declared Humanity's Cultural Heritage by the UNESCO in 1979) eliciting an uncontainable and renewed veneration for Black Christ of Esquipulas among his followers. There are hundreds of other such images with at least local importance with Christ of Chalma attracting millions of visitors, second only to that of the Virgin of Guadalupe in Mexico. The popularity of the image continues to spread, with Central American and Mexican migrants bringing the image to the United States and Canada, founding new sanctuaries.
Dimensions: approx 14" x 10" Late 19th Century
The Prayer, Name of the Devotee and a Recollection of the Event and date have long since faded from the bottom of the Ex Voto, but the style and High Artistry exhibited by the Painter would indicate Late 19th Century. Condition: the Zinc Panel of the Ex Voto is slightly wrinkled but still in good condition. The back of the Ex Voto is slightly rusted but not bleeded to the front. The Figural Painting is in very good condition with very little paint loss.
Origin is Mexico
Cristo Negro de Esquipulas / Black Christ of Esquipulas, Guatemala Retablo #176
