Lena Rivera
A retablo is a term used to describe a small religious painting, typically created as a form of devotional art in the Catholic tradition. These paintings often depict holy figures such as Christ, the Virgin Mary, or various saints, and they are commonly used in Latin America and other Roman Catholic countries. Retablos are usually rectangular in shape and are characterized by vibrant colors, portraying miraculous events and expressing gratitude for divine intervention. The term retablo comes from the Spanish word for board behind, originally referring to large altarpiece paintings or wooden structures above an altar.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Retablo |
| Description | A devotional painting, especially a small popular or folk art one using iconography derived from traditional Catholic church art |
| Size | The smallest was about 18 square inches (120 cm2) and the largest was about 280 square inches (1,800 cm2) |
| Purpose | To express gratitude towards the Virgin Mary or a saint for saving a person or a loved one from a nearly fatal event |
| Subject Matter | Holy images such as Christ, the Virgin Mother, or one of the many saints |
| Style | Bright, vibrant colours to portray the supremacy of the miraculous event being depicted |
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What You'll Learn
Christian sacred art
The most common subjects of Christian sacred art are images of Jesus and narrative scenes from his life, as well as scenes from the Old Testament. Images of the Virgin Mary and saints are more common in Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox art than in Protestant art. Early Christian art, dating back to the origins of Christianity, often depicted Jesus in a way that continued to evolve until the 6th century when his appearance became more consistent. The art of this time was influenced by Roman art, but the adoption of Christianity by Constantine brought a need for Christian versions of elite and official Roman art, with mosaics in churches being a prominent example.
Historical Christian art, on the other hand, prioritizes accuracy of detail over spiritual significance, although the latter is also important. Historical images are often placed at a distance from the sanctuary, such as in the vestibule or rear of the nave. They are also used outside of worship, such as in institutional or domestic settings. Devotional art, meanwhile, is designed to inspire a desire for holiness and can be found in museums and homes, as well as churches.
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Buddhist cave paintings
A small religious painting can be referred to as a miniature. Now, onto Buddhist cave paintings.
The Ajanta Caves in India are a famous example of Buddhist cave paintings. They were discovered in 1817 by a British colonial officer, Captain John Smith, who was hunting tigers. The caves contain paintings depicting the past lives and rebirths of Buddha, pictorial tales from Aryasura's Jatakamala, and rock-cut sculptures of Buddhist deities. The murals in these caves represent the highest achievement of Indian Buddhist art, showcasing creativity, the use of natural materials, and layering techniques.
More Examples of Buddhist Cave Paintings
The Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang, China, is another significant site of Buddhist cave art. These caves, located along the Silk Road, served as a site of religious exchange and feature hundreds of Buddhist wall paintings and sculptures. The paintings and sculptures in Dunhuang primarily focus on Buddhism and include depictions of musicians and the Buddha.
Creation of Buddhist Cave Paintings
The creation of Buddhist cave paintings involved the integration of sculpture and painting. The artists likely worked on excavating the rocks and creating intricate carvings, with the painting work done in parallel. The monks who created these artworks were dedicated to their craft, carving pillared "vihara" congregation halls and temples, illustrating episodes from the Jataka tales of the reincarnation of the Buddha.
Influence and Legacy
The Ajanta cave paintings are considered a glorious chapter in the history of wall paintings worldwide. They have been digitally enhanced and exhibited in recent years, showcasing the skill and devotion imbued in these ancient artworks. The influence of these paintings extends beyond the religious, with similar methods and applications of artistic talent observed in other cave temples of India, including those from Hinduism and Jainism.
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Sikh guru depictions
Small religious paintings are often referred to as miniatures.
The most common subjects depicted in Sikh art are the ten Gurus, with depictions of Nanak, the first Sikh Guru, being the most popular. The first images of Guru Nanak portray him as a pious, religious man with simple clothes and a rosary, reflecting his contemplative nature. Later depictions of the sixth Guru incorporate elements of political resistance and power, reflecting the Sikh political struggles of the time. With Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru, elements of grandeur were added, such as royal attire, precious jewels, and a warrior-like sword.
Guru Nanak is typically represented as a wise, elderly man wearing an ascetic's domed cap with upturned flaps, a rosary, a cord around his neck, and a crutch. He is often depicted in a meditative pose, seated against a lush backdrop of greenery and flowers with a Gurudwara behind him. Images of Guru Nanak also frequently show him accompanied by musicians and holding prayer beads.
The Bonhams Islamic and Indian Art Sale in London featured a painting by Hari Singh (1894-1970) titled "Guru Nanak seated with Bala and Mardana" by Bodhraj Punjab (1990). The painting depicts Guru Nanak in a meditative pose, wearing a patch-worked wrap over a golden robe and a high flap cap with a domed top. Another work by Bodhraj Punjab, titled "The Golden Temple at Amritsar" (1991), is also part of the sale.
The Sikh guru depictions vary in style and focus, reflecting the evolution of Sikh art and the changing social and political circumstances that influenced the Gurus' responses to their environment.
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Islamic objection to figurative representations
A miniature is a small religious painting. Miniature paintings have been integral parts of manuscripts and books as visual aids to the text.
Islamic art has historically been characterised by the absence of human and animal figures and the extensive use of calligraphy, geometric patterns, and abstract floral patterns. This is due to the belief that the creation of living forms is unique to God and that idolatry should be avoided. However, there are examples of figurative art in Islamic history, and interpretations of Islam vary.
The Quran, the Islamic holy book, does not prohibit the depiction of human figures, and there are representations of Muhammad and other religious figures in some manuscripts. However, the Hadith, a collection of traditions and sayings of the Prophet Muhammad, includes stronger statements against figural depiction, challenging painters to "breathe life" into their creations and threatening punishment on the Day of Judgment. As a result, figures in paintings were often stylised, and there were episodes of iconoclastic destruction of figurative art.
The Islamic objection to figurative representations can be placed within a larger context, as iconoclasm was also known in the Byzantine period and aniconism (the avoidance of images of sentient beings) was a feature of the Judaic world.
Over time, different attitudes towards figural representation developed in different regions of the Islamic world. For example, figural representations were rare in North Africa due to the influence of the conservative Maliki School of Religious Law, while Iran is known for its vibrant tradition of representational art.
In secular art of the Muslim world, representations of human and animal forms have historically flourished in nearly all Islamic cultures, although they were often stylised due to opposing religious sentiments.
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Orthodox icon art
An icon is a religious work of art, most commonly a painting, in the cultures of the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Catholic, and Lutheran churches. The term "icon" comes from the Ancient Greek word "eikōn", which means "image" or "resemblance". Icons are commonly painted on wood panels with egg tempera, but they may also be cast in metal, carved in stone, embroidered on cloth, or done in mosaic or fresco work. The most common subjects of icons include Jesus, Mary, saints, and angels.
Eastern Orthodox tradition holds that the production of Christian images dates back to the early days of Christianity and has been a continuous tradition since then. Modern academic art history, however, traces the tradition back only as far as the 3rd century, with the icons of later centuries often linked to images from the 5th century onwards. There was widespread destruction of images during the Byzantine Iconoclasm of 726–842, but this settled the question of the appropriateness of images.
In Orthodox icons, very little room is made for artistic license. Almost everything within the image has a symbolic aspect. Christ, the saints, and the angels are depicted with halos. Angels (and often John the Baptist) have wings because they are messengers. Figures have consistent facial appearances, hold attributes personal to them, and use a few conventional poses. Archangels bear a thin staff and sometimes a mirror. Colour also plays an important role. Gold represents the radiance of Heaven, red represents divine life, blue represents human life, and white represents the Uncreated Light of God, only used for the resurrection and transfiguration of Christ.
Orthodox icons have inspired devotion and faith in many people. For example, the Catholic author of a blog post on religious paintings writes about how religious art has inspired them to find divine inspiration and to be more faithful to the teachings of the Lord. They also mention how they were surprised by how captivated they were by religious paintings during their travels.
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Frequently asked questions
A small religious painting is called a retablo, especially in the context of popular or folk art.
The appearance of a retablo is entirely up to the artist, as long as it contains the necessary basic elements. Artists often use bright, vibrant colours to portray the supremacy of the event being depicted.
The most important part of a retablo is the representation of a miraculous event involving a saint.
Retablos are often created to express gratitude to a saint for answering a prayer or helping someone through a dangerous or threatening situation.
Retablos are found in Roman Catholic countries, as well as in classical paganism and many other religions. They are especially common in Latin America and German-speaking Catholic areas of Europe.
