Ex-voto: Mexican Folk Paintings of Gratitude to Saints
Ex-votos, originating in 15th-century Italy and introduced to Mexico by Spanish colonizers, are offerings made to deities as expressions of gratitude. These artworks often depict miraculous occurrences and typically include the names and dates of the donors. By the 18th century, this practice had become widespread among the general populace, leading to a decline in the quality of the works produced. Notable ex-votos commemorate significant events, such as the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1863. For instance, on September 29, 1864, Esteban Flores expressed his gratitude to the Virgen del Pueblito de Querétaro for saving his leg. During December 1912, a mother thanked Saint Michael Archangel amidst the Mexican Revolution. Many ex-votos honor Our Lady of Guadalupe, and since the 1960s, numerous pieces were smuggled to Italy, with 596 returned in 2019. A resurgence in interest was noted during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Key facts
- Ex-voto tradition originated in 15th-century Italy and came to Mexico with Spanish colonizers.
- Ex-votos are paintings on wood or metal sheets with a narrative illustration and description.
- By the 18th century, the tradition spread to all social classes in Mexico.
- Esteban Flores created an ex-voto on September 29, 1864, thanking the Virgen del Pueblito de Querétaro for saving his leg in the Battle of Puebla (May 5, 1863).
- Brigida Perez made an ex-voto in December 1912 thanking Saint Michael Archangel for protecting her sons fighting with Emiliano Zapata.
- The Museum of the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City holds a collection of ex-votos dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe.
- Frida Kahlo painted an ex-voto in 1940 thanking Our Lady of Sorrows for saving her from a 1925 bus accident.
- Italy returned 596 ex-votos to Mexico in 2019 under the 1970 UNESCO Convention after they were trafficked in 2018.
Entities
Artists
- Frida Kahlo
- Guillermo Kahlo
- Martina of Kahlo
- Esteban Flores
- J. Gutiérrez
- Brigida Perez
- Antonia Carbajal
Institutions
- Tropenmuseum
- Museo Amparo
- Museo Nacional de las Culturas
- Museum of the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe
- UNESCO
- Italian government
Locations
- Mexico
- Italy
- Amsterdam
- Netherlands
- Puebla
- Querétaro
- Cuautla
- Morelos
- Mexico City
- El Bajío