A new Mexican Retablo painted on wood (and signed by) Santera Catherine Robles-Shaw in 1997 with a depiction of Saint Liberata, also known as Saint Wilgefortis. She is usually depicted as crucified, often with a beard, and is the patron saint of facial hair and women wishing to escape abusive husbands.

Her legend, which traces back to the 14th century, recounts how the teenaged Wilgefortis, a Portuguese aristocrat, had her hand promised in marriage to a Muslim king by her father. In order to avoid her fate, she took a vow of chastity, and begged God to make her hideous. God obliged by blessing her with the beard you see here, swiftly ending the engagement. Her father, furious, had her crucified.

Retablos are Latin American examples of folk art based in European traditions of saint veneration. They are generally created to thank a saint whom the petitioner has supplicated for help or blessings. The Retablo would be placed on an altar and used again when the petitioner was in need. They were also given as gifts.

From the artist, Santera Catherine Robles-Shaw:

“As a Santera (Saint Maker), I hope to preserve some of the unique traditions of my Hispanic culture. Retablos are the story tellers of my ancestors. They are the natural extension of the beauty and simplicity of our Spanish lives. My husband, Michael and I aspire to represent our work with as much historic accuracy as possible. My first exposure to this art form came when, as a child, I visited the churches in the San Luis Valley. My family had been among the first settlers in the Conejos land grant and lived in Mogote and Las Mesitas, Colorado. After visiting old churches in Chimayo and northern New Mexico, as an adult, I came to realize the meaning of the little retablos that had been in our family. In 1991, I began making retablos for my family and friends. Then in 1995, when I was admitted into the Spanish Market, I became a full time artist.”

L13” X W6” X D0.5”