Peruvian Retablo Tradition
The tradition of making retablos or wooden boxes containing
figurines of protective Saints was brought to Peru by the Spanish during the 14th
century conquest. In Europe, similar wooden triptych or Santero boxes had been used for centuries as mobile altars
for travelers. In the Andes, merchants followed the tradition and carried them during their solitary travels through
the mountains as protection from the harsh environment. Catholic priests also used them to convert
the locals to Christianity. In this way retablos were soon incorporated into
the Andean culture and celebrations. For instance a village would open a retablo depicting the Patron Saint
for their animals during the branding and fertility ceremonies.
With the arrival of modern transportation and roads, the use
of “Santero Boxes” was almost extinct. Fortunately in the 1940s, master retablo
artists, most notably the Lopez Antay and Jimenez families from Ayacucho,
rescued this vibrant folk art for future generations.
The techniques have passed from generation to generation.
Retablo makers use simple wood tools and a plaster made with
potato starch, to bring colorful, hand-shaped figurines to life. Full scenes
are arranged inside wooden boxes with hinged doors and one or more shelves.
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Today a new group of young retablo artists is emerging. Luis Huamanay and his
wife Julia were trained by their uncles and renoun artists Claudio & Nicario Jimenez.
They enjoy recreating biblical scenes as well as representations of their
Andean way of life and mystic beliefs.
Lucuma Designs is proud to support these new artists by helping them evolve in their
art to keep this colorful tradition alive.
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