Traditional ex-voto, depicting
a Child cured of Smallpox
Mexican (dated
15th of March, 1907)
oil on tin, 12" x
10"
Collection of the
artist, Whanganui
An
ex-voto is a small devotional painting traditionally
found in Italy, Spain and Mexico. A client would
commission the village artisan to paint an ex-voto
to a specific saint to give thanks
for saving them from a specific incident.
The
ex-voto usually depicts the commissioner, a particular
saint, symbols to represent the event and several lines
of text under the imagery to supplement the symbolism.
Traditionally
painted on tin, contemporary ex-votos are painted on
other types of metal, such as aluminium.
Commission
your own ex-voto to document your life experiences,
luck and misfortunes, gains and losses, loves, joys,
and sorrows.
Fill
out the contact form on the right to discuss details
with Matthew, or to join his website mailout list.
