Santos Art Photos

Santos is a term for a primitive school of religious art created by Hispanics isolated in the New World, cut off from artistic developments in Spain. The artists are called Santeros who created three forms of this art: Reredos (screens behind the altar showing several saints), Retablos (individual painted icons of saints) and Bultos (rounded 3D wood carvings of religious figures). While now considered an important part of New Mexico's heritage, in the last century some church leaders tried to remove this art as too primitive. Well known Santeros include Antonio Molleno (1804-25) & José Rafael Aragón (1826-55).

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St Jerome retablo by Antonio Molleno at Harwood Museum of Art. Taos, NM.St Lawrence retablo by Antonio Molleno at Hacienda de los Martinez. Taos, NM.Spanish painted icon of St Peter by Antonio Molleno at New Mexico History Museum. Santa Fe, NM.St Michael retablo by Antonio Molleno at Harwood Museum of Art. Taos, NM.
St Jerome retablo by Antonio Molleno at Harwood Museum of Art. Taos, NM.St Lawrence retablo by Antonio Molleno at Hacienda de los Martinez. Taos, NM.Spanish painted icon of St Peter (1815-45) by Antonio Molleno at New Mexico History Museum. Santa Fe, NM.St Michael retablo by Antonio Molleno at Harwood Museum of Art. Taos, NM.
St Michael Archangel retablo by Antonio Molleno at Millicent Rogers Museum. Taos, NM.St Anthony of Padua retablo by Antonio Molleno at Hacienda de los Martinez. Taos, NM.Talpa Family Chapel Santos art altar screen & saints by José Rafael Aragón at Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. Colorado Springs, CO.Santos art detail of Talpa Family Chapel altar screen by José Rafael Aragón at Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. Colorado Springs, CO.
St Michael Archangel retablo by Antonio Molleno at Millicent Rogers Museum. Taos, NM.St Anthony of Padua retablo by Antonio Molleno at Hacienda de los Martinez. Taos, NM.Talpa Family Chapel (1838) Santos art altar screen & saints by José Rafael Aragón at Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. Colorado Springs, CO.Santos art detail of Talpa Family Chapel altar screen (1838) by José Rafael Aragón at Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. Colorado Springs, CO.
St Jerome sculpture from Talpa Family Chapel by José Rafael Aragón at Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. Colorado Springs, CO.Spanish religious icon paintings & carvings by José Rafael Aragón at New Mexico History Museum. Santa Fe, NM.Spanish painted crucifix by José Rafael Aragón at New Mexico History Museum. Santa Fe, NM.Retablo collection at Harwood Museum of Art including St. Rose of Lima, Our Lady of Sorrows & St. Gertrude all by José Rafael Aragón. Taos, NM.
St Jerome sculpture from Talpa Family Chapel (1838) by José Rafael Aragón at Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. Colorado Springs, CO.Spanish religious icon paintings & carvings (1820-61) by José Rafael Aragón at New Mexico History Museum. Santa Fe, NM.Spanish painted crucifix (c1820-61) by José Rafael Aragón at New Mexico History Museum. Santa Fe, NM.Retablo collection at Harwood Museum of Art including St. Rose of Lima, Our Lady of Sorrows & St. Gertrude all by José Rafael Aragón. Taos, NM.
Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe painting by Rafael Aragón of New Mexico at McNay Art Museum. San Antonio, TX.St Rose of Lima retablo by José Rafael Aragón at Harwood Museum of Art. Taos, NM.St Gertrude retablo by José Rafael Aragón at Harwood Museum of Art. Taos, NM.St Ramon Nonnatus retablo by José Rafael Aragón at Harwood Museum of Art. Taos, NM.
Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe painting (c1820-60) by Rafael Aragón of New Mexico at McNay Art Museum. San Antonio, TX.St Rose of Lima retablo by José Rafael Aragón at Harwood Museum of Art. Taos, NM.St Gertrude retablo by José Rafael Aragón at Harwood Museum of Art. Taos, NM.St Ramon Nonnatus retablo by José Rafael Aragón at Harwood Museum of Art. Taos, NM.
St Francis of Assisi retablo by José Rafael Aragón at Harwood Museum of Art. Taos, NM.St Veronica's Handkerchief retablo by José Rafael Aragón at Harwood Museum of Art. Taos, NM.Holy Trinity retablo by José Rafael Aragón at Harwood Museum of Art. Taos, NM.St Ignatius Loyola retablo by José Rafael Aragón at Millicent Rogers Museum. Taos, NM.
St Francis of Assisi retablo by José Rafael Aragón at Harwood Museum of Art. Taos, NM.St Veronica's Handkerchief retablo by José Rafael Aragón at Harwood Museum of Art. Taos, NM.Holy Trinity retablo by José Rafael Aragón at Harwood Museum of Art. Taos, NM.St Ignatius Loyola retablo by José Rafael Aragón at Millicent Rogers Museum. Taos, NM.
St Francis of Assisi retablo by José Rafael Aragón at Millicent Rogers Museum. Taos, NM.Our Lady of San Juan de los Lagos retablo by José Rafael Aragón at Millicent Rogers Museum. Taos, NM.St Acacio retablo by José Rafael Aragón at Millicent Rogers Museum. Taos, NM.St John Nepomuk bulto by José Rafael Aragón at Hacienda de los Martinez. Taos, NM.
St Francis of Assisi retablo (c1830) by José Rafael Aragón at Millicent Rogers Museum. Taos, NM.Our Lady of San Juan de los Lagos retablo by José Rafael Aragón at Millicent Rogers Museum. Taos, NM.St Acacio retablo by José Rafael Aragón at Millicent Rogers Museum. Taos, NM.St John Nepomuk bulto (1840s) by José Rafael Aragón at Hacienda de los Martinez. Taos, NM.
St James the Moor Slayer retablo by José Rafael Aragón at Hacienda de los Martinez. Taos, NM.San Antonio sculpture attrib. workshop of José Aragón at Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. Colorado Springs, CO.Our Lady of Immaculate Conception sculpture attrib. workshop of José Aragón at Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. Colorado Springs, CO.Santos-style Crucifix by José Rafael Aragón on New Mexico at Brooklyn Museum. Brooklyn, NY.
St James the Moor Slayer retablo by José Rafael Aragón at Hacienda de los Martinez. Taos, NM.San Antonio sculpture (1820-40) attrib. workshop of José Aragón at Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. Colorado Springs, CO.Our Lady of Immaculate Conception sculpture (1820-35) attrib. workshop of José Aragón at Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. Colorado Springs, CO.Santos-style Crucifix (19thC) by José Rafael Aragón on New Mexico at Brooklyn Museum. Brooklyn, NY.
San Acacio sculpture by José Rafael Aragón at Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. Colorado Springs, CO.St Ignatius of Loyola painting by José Rafael Aragón at Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. Colorado Springs, CO.Holy Trinity painting by José Aragón at Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. Colorado Springs, CO.San Miguel painting by José Rafael Aragón at Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. Colorado Springs, CO.
San Acacio sculpture (1820-62) by José Rafael Aragón at Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. Colorado Springs, CO.St Ignatius of Loyola painting (1820-62) by José Rafael Aragón at Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. Colorado Springs, CO.Holy Trinity painting (1820-25) by José Aragón at Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. Colorado Springs, CO.San Miguel painting (1820-62) by José Rafael Aragón at Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. Colorado Springs, CO.
San Pedro by Arroyo Hondo Painter at Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. Colorado Springs, CO.Santa Gertrudis by Arroyo Hondo Painter at Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. Colorado Springs, CO.St Raymond Nonnatus retablo by Arroyo Hondo Painter at Millicent Rogers Museum. Taos, NM.St Anthony retablo by Arroyo Hondo Painter at Millicent Rogers Museum. Taos, NM.
San Pedro (St. Peter) (c1830) by Arroyo Hondo Painter at Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. Colorado Springs, CO.Santa Gertrudis (St. Gertrude) (c1830) by Arroyo Hondo Painter at Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. Colorado Springs, CO.St Raymond Nonnatus retablo by Arroyo Hondo Painter at Millicent Rogers Museum. Taos, NM.St Anthony retablo by Arroyo Hondo Painter at Millicent Rogers Museum. Taos, NM.
Nuestra Señora del Carmen painting by Arroyo Hondo Santero of New Mexico at McNay Art Museum. San Antonio, TX.Our Lady of Immaculate Conception bulto by Arroyo Hondo Santero at Hacienda de los Martinez. Taos, NM.Santo-style retablo at Albuquerque Museum. Albuquerque, NM.Spanish religious icon paintings & carvings at New Mexico History Museum. Santa Fe, NM.
Nuestra Señora del Carmen painting (c1830-40) by Arroyo Hondo Santero of New Mexico at McNay Art Museum. San Antonio, TX.Our Lady of Immaculate Conception bulto (1840) by Arroyo Hondo Santero at Hacienda de los Martinez. Taos, NM.Santo-style retablo at Albuquerque Museum. Albuquerque, NM.Spanish religious icon paintings & carvings at New Mexico History Museum. Santa Fe, NM.
Spanish religious icon paintings & carvings by Pedro Antonio Fresquís at New Mexico History Museum. Santa Fe, NM.St Raphael painting by Bernardo Miera y Pacheco of Santa Fe, NM at Museum of Spanish Colonial Art. Santa Fe, NM.Spanish painted icon of Nuestra Señora de San Juan de los Lagos by Laguna Santero at New Mexico History Museum. Santa Fe, NM.Spanish painted icon of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe at New Mexico History Museum. Santa Fe, NM.
Spanish religious icon paintings & carvings (1780-1825) by Pedro Antonio Fresquís at New Mexico History Museum. Santa Fe, NM.St Raphael painting (1780) by Bernardo Miera y Pacheco of Santa Fe, NM at Museum of Spanish Colonial Art. Santa Fe, NM.Spanish painted icon of Nuestra Señora de San Juan de los Lagos (1795-1810) by Laguna Santero at New Mexico History Museum. Santa Fe, NM.Spanish painted icon of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe at New Mexico History Museum. Santa Fe, NM.
St Anthony painting from Mexico at Museum of Spanish Colonial Art. Santa Fe, NM.Veronica's Veil painting by Mourselo Aguilar of Mexico at Museum of Spanish Colonial Art. Santa Fe, NM.Santa Eduvigis painting from Mexico at Museum of Spanish Colonial Art. Santa Fe, NM.Collection of Santos art crucifixes by various Hispanic artists at Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. Colorado Springs, CO.
St Anthony painting (19thC) from Mexico at Museum of Spanish Colonial Art. Santa Fe, NM.Veronica's Veil painting (1868) by Mourselo Aguilar of Mexico at Museum of Spanish Colonial Art. Santa Fe, NM.Santa Eduvigis painting (19thC) from Mexico at Museum of Spanish Colonial Art. Santa Fe, NM.Collection of Santos art crucifixes (1820-1910) by various Hispanic artists at Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. Colorado Springs, CO.
Collection of Santos art crucifixes by various Hispanic artists at Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. Colorado Springs, CO.San Miguel sculpture by unknown Hispanic Santos artist at Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. Colorado Springs, CO.St Michael Archangel wood sculpture by Santo Niño Santero of New Mexico at McNay Art Museum. San Antonio, TX.Death on Her Cart sculpture by Nasario López at Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. Colorado Springs, CO.
Collection of Santos art crucifixes (1820-1910) by various Hispanic artists at Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. Colorado Springs, CO.San Miguel sculpture (18thC) by unknown Hispanic Santos artist at Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. Colorado Springs, CO.St Michael Archangel wood sculpture (mid 1800s) by Santo Niño Santero of New Mexico at McNay Art Museum. San Antonio, TX.Death on Her Cart sculpture (c1860) by Nasario López at Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. Colorado Springs, CO.
Holy Family sculpture by Jóse Benito Ortega at Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. Colorado Springs, CO.Nuestra Señora de la Soledad sculpture by José Benito Ortega of New Mexico at McNay Art Museum. San Antonio, TX.St Longinus painting by Truchas Master at Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. Colorado Springs, CO.San Ysidro by unknown Hispanic Santos-style artist at Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. Colorado Springs, CO.
Holy Family sculpture (c1875-90) by Jóse Benito Ortega at Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. Colorado Springs, CO.Nuestra Señora de la Soledad sculpture (c1880-1900) by José Benito Ortega of New Mexico at McNay Art Museum. San Antonio, TX.St Longinus painting (c1780-1830) by Truchas Master at Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. Colorado Springs, CO.San Ysidro (St. Isidore) by unknown Hispanic Santos-style artist at Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. Colorado Springs, CO.
St James the Moorslayer by 18thC Novice Hispanic Santos artist at Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. Colorado Springs, CO.Reredo altar screen santero painting by Ramon Jose Lopez in NM State Capitol Art Collection. Santa Fe, NM.Santos de Nuevo Mexico painting with carving of San Ysidro, patron saint of farming, by Charlie Carrillo in NM State Capitol Art Collection. Santa Fe, NM.Interior of Golondrinas Chapel at Rancho de las Golondrinas. Santa Fe, NM.
St James the Moorslayer (late 18thC) by 18thC Novice Hispanic Santos artist at Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. Colorado Springs, CO.Reredo altar screen santero painting (1991) by Ramon Jose Lopez in NM State Capitol Art Collection. Santa Fe, NM.Santos de Nuevo Mexico painting with carving of San Ysidro, patron saint of farming, (1995-6) by Charlie Carrillo in NM State Capitol Art Collection. Santa Fe, NM.Interior of Golondrinas Chapel at Rancho de las Golondrinas. Santa Fe, NM.
Reredos in Golondrinas Chapel at Rancho de las Golondrinas. Santa Fe, NM.Holy Trinity by Charlie Carillo on Reredos in Golondrinas Chapel at Rancho de las Golondrinas. Santa Fe, NM.St Michael Archangel by Eduardo Sánchez on Reredos in Golondrinas Chapel at Rancho de las Golondrinas. Santa Fe, NM.St Isidore & his wife by Irene Martinez-Yates on Reredos in Golondrinas Chapel at Rancho de las Golondrinas. Santa Fe, NM.
Reredos in Golondrinas Chapel at Rancho de las Golondrinas. Santa Fe, NM.Holy Trinity by Charlie Carillo on Reredos in Golondrinas Chapel at Rancho de las Golondrinas. Santa Fe, NM.St Michael Archangel by Eduardo Sánchez on Reredos in Golondrinas Chapel at Rancho de las Golondrinas. Santa Fe, NM.St Isidore & his wife by Irene Martinez-Yates on Reredos in Golondrinas Chapel at Rancho de las Golondrinas. Santa Fe, NM.
St Paschal by Jacobo de la Serna on Reredos in Golondrinas Chapel at Rancho de las Golondrinas. Santa Fe, NM.Bulto of St Isidore by Alcario Otero in Golondrinas Chapel at Rancho de las Golondrinas. Santa Fe, NM.St Luis Gonzaga by José Ramón Lopez on Reredos in Golondrinas Chapel at Rancho de las Golondrinas. Santa Fe, NM.Paintings by several New Mexico Santos Artists at McNay Art Museum. San Antonio, TX.
St Paschal by Jacobo de la Serna on Reredos in Golondrinas Chapel at Rancho de las Golondrinas. Santa Fe, NM.Bulto of St Isidore by Alcario Otero in Golondrinas Chapel at Rancho de las Golondrinas. Santa Fe, NM.St Luis Gonzaga by José Ramón Lopez on Reredos in Golondrinas Chapel at Rancho de las Golondrinas. Santa Fe, NM.Paintings (c1800-70) by several New Mexico Santos Artists at McNay Art Museum. San Antonio, TX.
St Anthony Abbot by Ernie Luján on Reredos in Golondrinas Chapel at Rancho de las Golondrinas. Santa Fe, NM.Spanish-style carving of nativity scene over native pot at San Miguel Mission. Santa Fe, NM.John the Baptist icon over pitcher & basin in La Placita at Rancho de las Golondrinas. Santa Fe, NM.Peregrinación painted shrine by Anita Rodriquez at Harwood Museum of Art. Taos, NM.
St Anthony Abbot by Ernie Luján on Reredos in Golondrinas Chapel at Rancho de las Golondrinas. Santa Fe, NM.Spanish-style carving of nativity scene over native pot at San Miguel Mission. Santa Fe, NM.John the Baptist icon over pitcher & basin in La Placita at Rancho de las Golondrinas. Santa Fe, NM.Peregrinación painted shrine (1995) by Anita Rodriquez at Harwood Museum of Art. Taos, NM.
Santos art collection at Millicent Rogers Museum. Taos, NM.Stations of the Cross in Golondrinas Chapel at Rancho de las Golondrinas. Santa Fe, NM.Station of the Cross III by Francisco Nazario Lucero in Golondrinas Chapel at Rancho de las Golondrinas. Santa Fe, NM.Station of the Cross IV by Mary Jo Martin in Golondrinas Chapel at Rancho de las Golondrinas. Santa Fe, NM.
Santos art collection at Millicent Rogers Museum. Taos, NM.Stations of the Cross in Golondrinas Chapel at Rancho de las Golondrinas. Santa Fe, NM.Station of the Cross III by Francisco Nazario Lucero in Golondrinas Chapel at Rancho de las Golondrinas. Santa Fe, NM.Station of the Cross IV by Mary Jo Martin in Golondrinas Chapel at Rancho de las Golondrinas. Santa Fe, NM.
Station of the Cross VI by Arlene Cisneros Sena in Golondrinas Chapel at Rancho de las Golondrinas. Santa Fe, NM.Station of the Cross VIII by Ernie Luján in Golondrinas Chapel at Rancho de las Golondrinas. Santa Fe, NM.Station of the Cross X by Charlie Carillo in Golondrinas Chapel at Rancho de las Golondrinas. Santa Fe, NM.Station of the Cross XI by Gustavo Victor Goler in Golondrinas Chapel at Rancho de las Golondrinas. Santa Fe, NM.
Station of the Cross VI by Arlene Cisneros Sena in Golondrinas Chapel at Rancho de las Golondrinas. Santa Fe, NM.Station of the Cross VIII by Ernie Luján in Golondrinas Chapel at Rancho de las Golondrinas. Santa Fe, NM.Station of the Cross X by Charlie Carillo in Golondrinas Chapel at Rancho de las Golondrinas. Santa Fe, NM.Station of the Cross XI by Gustavo Victor Goler in Golondrinas Chapel at Rancho de las Golondrinas. Santa Fe, NM.
Reredos of San Miguel Mission. Santa Fe, NM.Spanish-style saint carvings or bultos on reredos of San Miguel Mission. Santa Fe, NM.Spanish-style saint carving on reredos of San Miguel Mission. Santa Fe, NM.Spanish-style saint carving on reredos of San Miguel Mission. Santa Fe, NM.
Reredos (1798) of San Miguel Mission. Santa Fe, NM.Spanish-style saint carvings or bultos on reredos of San Miguel Mission. Santa Fe, NM.Spanish-style saint carving on reredos of San Miguel Mission. Santa Fe, NM.Spanish-style saint carving on reredos of San Miguel Mission. Santa Fe, NM.
Painting of St Michael with St Teresa & St Gertrude atop reredos of San Miguel Mission. Santa Fe, NM.Painting on reredos of Christ with St Francis & St Louis at San Miguel Mission. Santa Fe, NM.Portrait of St Louis King of France on reredos of San Miguel Mission. Santa Fe, NM.Collection of early Spanish religious art at New Mexico History Museum. Santa Fe, NM.
Painting of St Michael with St Teresa & St Gertrude atop reredos of San Miguel Mission. Santa Fe, NM.Painting on reredos of Christ with St Francis & St Louis at San Miguel Mission. Santa Fe, NM.Portrait of St Louis King of France on reredos of San Miguel Mission. Santa Fe, NM.Collection of early Spanish religious art at New Mexico History Museum. Santa Fe, NM.
Collection of early Spanish carved crucifixes at New Mexico History Museum. Santa Fe, NM.New Mexico chapel composite exhibit at New Mexico History Museum. Santa Fe, NM.New Mexico chapel exhibit at New Mexico History Museum. Santa Fe, NM.Nuestra Señora de la Luz bulto santo sculpture by Juan Amadeo Sánchez at New Mexico History Museum. Santa Fe, NM.
Collection of early Spanish carved crucifixes at New Mexico History Museum. Santa Fe, NM.New Mexico chapel (1821-80) composite exhibit at New Mexico History Museum. Santa Fe, NM.New Mexico chapel exhibit at New Mexico History Museum. Santa Fe, NM.Nuestra Señora de la Luz bulto santo sculpture (c1939) by Juan Amadeo Sánchez at New Mexico History Museum. Santa Fe, NM.
Three Kings carving by Thomas Cabo from Puerto Rico at Museum of Spanish Colonial Art. Santa Fe, NM.St Roch statue from Spain at Museum of Spanish Colonial Art. Santa Fe, NM.Bulto of St. Isidro patron of agriculture in Mora house at Rancho de las Golondrinas. Santa Fe, NM.Carved plaque of St. Isidro patron of agriculture in Mora house at Rancho de las Golondrinas. Santa Fe, NM.
Three Kings carving (20thC) by Thomas Cabo from Puerto Rico at Museum of Spanish Colonial Art. Santa Fe, NM.St Roch statue (19thC) from Spain at Museum of Spanish Colonial Art. Santa Fe, NM.Bulto of St. Isidro patron of agriculture in Mora house at Rancho de las Golondrinas. Santa Fe, NM.Carved plaque of St. Isidro patron of agriculture in Mora house at Rancho de las Golondrinas. Santa Fe, NM.
Santos art collection at Millicent Rogers Museum. Taos, NM.Santos religious carvings at Hacienda de los Martinez. Taos, NM.La Muerte figure of death at Hacienda de los Martinez. Taos, NM.La Muerte figure of death at Hacienda de los Martinez. Taos, NM.
Santos art collection at Millicent Rogers Museum. Taos, NM.Santos religious carvings at Hacienda de los Martinez. Taos, NM.La Muerte figure of death (early 20thC) at Hacienda de los Martinez. Taos, NM.La Muerte figure of death at Hacienda de los Martinez. Taos, NM.
La Muerte figure of death at Hacienda de los Martinez. Taos, NM.Nuestra Señora de la Luz sculpture by José Dolores López of New Mexico at McNay Art Museum. San Antonio, TX.Bulto by Patrocinio Barela at Hacienda de los Martinez. Taos, NM.Bultos by Patrociño Barela at Harwood Museum of Art. Taos, NM.
La Muerte figure of death at Hacienda de los Martinez. Taos, NM.Nuestra Señora de la Luz sculpture (c1930) by José Dolores López of New Mexico at McNay Art Museum. San Antonio, TX.Bulto (1940-50) by Patrocinio Barela at Hacienda de los Martinez. Taos, NM.Bultos (c1940) by Patrociño Barela at Harwood Museum of Art. Taos, NM.
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All photos on this page are originals by & copyrighted by Jim Steinhart.
All rights reserved. Permission required to use.

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